'Drain repairs cannot come soon enough'

MORE than 170 East Riding flood protection schemes will benefit from a £4m payout.

East Riding Council has named the projects that will get a share of the money, as first revealed on the Mail's website yesterday.

The European Union cash was given to the authority after the devastation caused by the floods of June 2007. The council has added a further £500,000 to the fund.

The money has been split three ways, with £1.2m going to 13 major schemes across the county.

Two of those projects will be in Hessle, with £15,000 allocated to install a screen to cover a drain in Astral Close.

The drain was the scene of tragedy during the floods, when Michael Barnett died after his leg became trapped in a temporary grille. His father, also called Michael Barnett, said: "I have campaigned to see that drain covered and this work cannot come soon enough.

"Anything to improve the drains is to be welcomed."

The money will also be used to put a security fence around the drain.

The council is to contribute £100,000 towards Environment Agency plans to improve drains around Burstwick and Hessle.

A total of £360,000 will be spent in Cottingham and plans include diverting drains in George Street towards Broadlane Beck.

Peter Kerr, a member of the Cottingham Flood Action Group, said: "We think there are better alternatives that should be explored.

"We want to see the drains re-routed away from the centre of the village."

An allocation of £500,000 will be given to 98 minor projects, that will include cleaning and repairing drains and repairs to roads and footpaths in villages across the East Riding.

Parish and town councils hit by the flooding will be given a share of £2m to be spent on 65 various projects.

Villages including Skidby, Hatfield and Langtoft will be given money to fund projects such as upgrading drainage pipes and replacing gullies.

The remaining £800,000 will be used to carry out further investigations. It is hoped work on some of the 176 projects will start in March.

Leader of the council, councillor Stephen Parnaby, said: "This is an extensive list and includes a number of schemes that will help protect residents from future flooding."