Yorkshire flood defences prevent £120 million worth of damage

Between 8 and 14 February, flood defences protected 36,000 homes and businesses, although 87 properties were flooded due to drainage problems or because they had no flood protection, says the Agency.

Future work is currently being planned for those areas that were affected by the flooding in February, as part of £38.7 million designated for 2002/3. These include Castley Lane at Pool-in-Wharfedale, where 16 properties were flooded, and possible flood defence schemes for Ilkley, Otley and Bolton Bridge.

The Yorkshire Regional Flood Defence Committee has also agreed this week to spend £378 million over the next 10 years on new defences and a further £1.5 million over the next year to improve flood warnings across Yorkshire.