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Dam plan to halt flooding
A TEAM of top university boffins and local residents have come up with new solutions to the flooding in Pickering.
They've suggested a series of bunds – mini dams – be built on the moors north of the the town to hold back water at times of flood.
And they say the Environment Agency also needs to look at the impact that vegetation and sediment in the river network has on the flood risk.
For the last year scientists at Durham, Oxford and East Anglia Universities have been working with a group of local residents to take a fresh look at flooding in Pickering and the surrounding area.
Their report, Making Space for People, was published yesterday at an exhibition in Pickering's memorial hall.
Its key findings using computer modelling are:
l Temporary upstream storage could be a cost-effective option that is worth further investigation. They say a few small bunds built in the right places upstream could "significantly" reduce the flood risk downstream and in Pickering.
l Vegetation in rivers and riverbanks can contribute to the flood risk, as could sediment. They recommend that the policy of withdrawing river maintenance be assessed and people with concerns should be involved in that assessment process.
Mike Potter, of Undercliffe, Pickering, is one of the local members of Ryedale Flood Research Group. He said it had been a "true collaboration" between local people with local knowledge and academics who were experts in the field of flooding issues.
"We've got a scheme that's realistic and based on sound, scientific arguments. Hopefully it has got enough credibility to force the hands of the powers-that-be and get something done.
"It can be used in other river catchments, not just in Ryedale but across the country. People in flood areas want something to be done about flooding and not continue to be the sacrificial lambs to protect other areas."
Jeff Pacey, project manager with the Environment Agency, said the agency had earmarked funds to explore the findings of the report with Durham University and look at upstream storage between now and next March.
He said: "We need to put some detail on the findings to find out whether they are practical, what they will cost and how it can be funded."
Howard Keal, spokesman for the Pickering Flood Defence Group, welcomed the "positive conclusions" of the report but said the Environment Agency now had to stop dragging its heels and get something done.
He added: "It would be good to hear there was a greater degree of urgency being applied before another major flood in Pickering with millions of pounds worth of damage and all the heartache that goes with it.
"People are being left in the firing line month after month and year after year."
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Weather for Malton
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 11 C to 18 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
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Temperature: 11 C to 18 C
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