Flood victims tap Dutch expertise

Residents went to Holland to assess the Dutch solution to flooding

A group of East Yorkshire residents affected by flooding have been to the Netherlands to see how they deal with floods and build their defences.

Members of the Holderness Flood Defence Group travelled to Wilnis, which has also suffered flooding.

Dutch engineers, considered world leaders in land drainage, are to visit East Yorkshire and see what improvement can be made to minimise flood risks.

East Riding councillor Matthew Grove said the trip had been worthwhile.

When Burstwick Drain burst during the summer floods of 2007 homes were evacuated and heavy pumping equipment had to be brought in to deal with the water.

'Very confident'

Mr Grove said the visit had given the group a chance to speak to the experts in the Netherlands and given them an insight into the problems faced in East Yorkshire.

"It was very successful, the main purpose for our visit was actually to meet with, and brief, our drainage consultants, our Dutch drainage experts.

"We wanted to make sure they were completely au fait with our background information and that they understood what we wanted of them and they understood what it was they were coming to.

"We're very confident that they'll be able to help us.

"They're currently working on reducing flood risk in New Orleans, so these are guys who really do know about the realities of flooding."