Andrew Percy MP

Andrew Percy MP

Member of Parliament for Brigg & Goole and the Isle of Axholme

River Aire Flood Update Meeting

Andrew has provided the following update following a meeting with the Environment Agency to discuss the issue of flooding and the River Aire.
 
I have just held an update meeting with the Environment Agency regarding the River Aire in our area and the future management of the flood risk locally. I have shared some of what we discussed below.
Snaith and Cowick
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- The Section 19 Flood Inquiry by the East Riding Council will be released in the very near future. This will be a preliminary report as more still needs to done. This is very important for helping inform any medium to longer term works on the defences. This is the report we have all been waiting for and should contain recommendations on required future actions. 
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- The EA are undertaking new modelling of the Lower Aire which will be informed by the real data gained from the flood event earlier this year. Again this is vital for informing the future management of the river and defences. They have already established a team that is looking at what may be required in the future and are working with partners such as the Drainage Board on this. 
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- It is likely that the number of properties in the specific flood warning area will be increased. This is not to be confused with flood maps, this simply relates to the areas used for flood warnings via Floodline. 
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- Work is also ongoing to form new 'Exceedance Plans' should a repeat of what happened occur. These plans, like those we have at South Ferriby, can include the installation of extra temporary pumping, temporary defences etc if it looks like there is going to be a similar incident. Back in February everything was reactive meaning homes could not be protected. These would be proactive plans and could be deployed ahead of any possible incident to protect the area. This is what we have had in South Ferriby in recent years where temporary defences have been deployed when there was a risk of flooding. 
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- The recovery work on the defences, mainly the cross-banks is almost complete - quite a challenge in this time of year.
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Airmyn
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- Works should commence next summer on the foreshore behind the clock tower. This is where the foreshore has eroded in quite a serious way and now requires action. The exact design of these works is presently being finalised. 
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Rawcliffe
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- Residents may also see EA staff and others undertaking investigative works here too. This is because, like at Airmyn, the foreshore is eroding in places. Whilst not as serious as at Airmyn, works are likely to be needed in the coming years and the process for delivering that is just commencing. 
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I will of course continue to closely monitor all of this and fight to ensure that we are better protected. The EA are also looking for volunteer flood wardens locally. These help communicate with the EA during an incident and are fully trained. If you want to know more, please get in touch.

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