Flood review report to be discussed by Leeds council

A new report stressing the 'critical' need for further investment in flood alleviation schemes in Leeds will be discussed by senior councillors today.

Leeds City Council's executive board will consider the detailed Section 19 investigation report carried out into the impact and lessons to be learned from the floods caused by Storm Eva which hit the city and wider region from Boxing Day to 29 December 2015.

The Section 19 report is a requirement for lead local flood authorities to produce under the Flood and Water Management Act 2010 following a major flooding event.

The Leeds report is the result of more than 12 months' work by the council who, with input from the Environment Agency and other partners, looks at all aspects of the flood in terms of its causes, impact and future recommendations. It includes extensive analysis of environmental and infrastructure data, reported incidents and discussions with the communities and businesses directly affected.

At the meeting, executive board will be asked to approve sending a copy of the report and its recommendations directly to the Secretary of State for the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) Andrea Leadsom.

The recommendations include the need for comprehensive flood protection measures for the whole River Aire catchment area, as well as for the catchment areas of the River Wharfe and the River Calder confluence.

The recommendations state 'That secured future investment for flood alleviation schemes is critical to reducing the likelihood of a repeat of the devastation experienced in December 2015 across Leeds'.

The review follows DEFRA measuring criteria for the number of properties in Leeds impacted by the floods, stating a figure of 4712 for all internal and external flooding incidents reported. This is higher than the previously-stated figure of 3368, which followed a different criteria set down by the Department for Communities and Local Government.

For more information on the Leeds Floods Alleviation Scheme click here