Floods review report calls for ‘critical’ additional investment for Leeds

There is a “critical” need for further investment in flood alleviation schemes to help prevent a repeat of the devastation caused by Storm Eva in Leeds, a report has revealed.

Next week, Leeds City Council’s senior councillors will discuss the investigation report carried out into the impact and lessons to be learned from the floods which hit the city and wider region in 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 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”.

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.

Phase one of the Leeds Floods Alleviation Scheme, which includes moveable weirs, the first time they have been used in this country, and other measures along the River Aire from Woodlesford to the city centre in a £45m project, is due for completion this summer.

Design and feasibility work is currently being carried on the next phase of the scheme upstream from the city centre to include the Kirkstall corridor, which was badly hit by the floods.

Confirmation of full funding for phase two or any further investment in Leeds has yet to be received, the council said, and the report continues “It is also evident that there needs to be absolute clarity about funding of this work…until it is confirmed and the associated work undertaken, a repeat of the Storm Eva event cannot be ruled out”.

Leader of Leeds City Council, Cllr Judith Blake, said: “This exceptional report reiterates what we have been saying since the terrible events of Christmas 2015 that Leeds needs and deserves comprehensive flood alleviation measures to be funded and put in place as quickly as possible. It calls for a full catchment and three rivers approach with measures to protect all communities and businesses vulnerable to flooding, which is the only way people across Leeds will ever be fully reassured that everything has been done to reduce the chances of flooding like that ever happening again.

“It sends a very clear message to the Secretary of State, and we are very keen to continue our discussions with the government over speeding up the process to get these protective measures in place as quickly as possible.”