Meeting over flood defence plans

Graham Stuart MP said residents and farmers were worried

An MP is meeting with Environment Agency officials to discuss concerns about plans for future flood defences in the East Riding.

The Environment Agency has said budget constraints could lead to some flood control measures being withdrawn from areas around the River Humber.

Beverley and Holderness MP Graham Stuart is leading a group opposed to the plan.

He has secured a meeting with senior agency officials at Westminster.

The delegation includes representatives from the East Riding of Yorkshire Council and the National Farmers' Union.

Mr Stuart said there was strong public opposition to the agency's River Humber Flood Risk Management Strategy, which includes details of the proposed removal of some flood defence systems.

He said there were also concerns that the River Hull Flood Risk Management Strategy, which has still to be published, would lead to flood protection measures being withdrawn from areas surrounding the River Hull.

'Tough decisions'

Residents and farmers were worried that such a move would affect their properties, land and livelihoods, the MP said.

Mr Stuart said: "I've been in close contact with the Environment Agency which has agreed that a great deal more public consultation is needed before any plans are implemented."

Environment Agency manager for Yorkshire, Craig McGarvey, said: "Due to climate change and limited resources, some tough decisions have to be made about where we concentrate our efforts in the future.

"The Environment Agency has to focus on protecting people and properties, rather than continuing to protect farmland at public expense.

"There are some tough decisions to be made because funding is central to this debate, but we will not be walking away from anyone affected by this serious issue."

He said they planned to spend £323m over 25 years to help manage flooding for communities along the Humber.