Search for
Search for
Search forFarmers: Stop our nightmare
Monday, January 28, 2008, 12:49
Landowners who have been flooded for the second time in seven months want the Government to increase spending to prevent more devastation.
Many farmers are facing costs running into thousands of pounds after floodwater topped the River Hull banks recently and swamped hundreds of acres of land.
Farmers and villagers say the problem stems not heavy rainfall, but from the inability of watercourses, such as the River Hull, to move large volumes of water due to lack of maintenance.
Livestock farmer John Lund, of Coneygarth Hill Farm at Emmotland, near Driffield, where 100 acres were submerged after the river topped its banks, said it was "heartbreaking" to see his land flooded for a second time.
He said: "I couldn't believe that the flooding had returned after we had 140 acres under water following the downpours in June.
"We had to move our sheep to grazing in Sledmere during the summer floods and only brought the last lot back on January 13 - now it has happened again.
"In the latest floods we lost 17 acres of stubble turnips that were grown to feed our 600 sheep and we are now having to buy in hay for them.
"It is heartbreaking to see it happening again. We will survive, but it makes you wonder how long we can keep going."
Officials from the York East National Farmers' Union (NFU), which includes East Yorkshire, will appeal for more funding to a Government body on Wednesday.
They are giving evidence to the House of Commons Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee, which is holding an inquiry into flooding, at a session in Lincoln.
The NFU is also having two
meetings with senior Environment Agency officers in February, one about the River Hull corridor between Beverley and Driffield, and another for Holderness.
Mr Lund said the flooding was due to the Environment Agency's failure to dredge the River Hull and strengthen its banks.
He said: "The internal drainage board cleaned out dykes and ditches around the farm after last summer, but there has been no maintenance work on the river.
"I know the agency needs more Government funding, but in the meantime this latest incident could cost us thousands of pounds."
East Yorkshire NFU officials are now urging the Environment Agency to "wake up" to its responsibilities regarding river maintenance.
Richard Ellison, NFU regional director, said: "The lack of maintenance, particularly dredging, is severely hampering the river's ability to move large volumes of water.
"This is backed up by the findings of an inquiry conducted by East Riding Council following last summer's floods, which concluded the main problem was not the amount of water but the length of time it took for it to go down the river system.
"Getting the Environment Agency to accept this point is proving extremely difficult.
"Some dredging work is being carried out in Hedon Haven and that is already having a positive effect, so the hope is that this message is slowly sinking in."
An Environment Agency spokeswoman said the River Hull Risk Management Strategy would review the risk of flooding.
"The strategy report is due for completion towards the end of this year and will recommend measures to reduce the risk," she said.
The agency is working with Hull and East Riding councils, Yorkshire Water and Beverley and Holderness Internal Drainage Board on the strategy.
Specialist car insurance in Herts Get a free quote.
Elstree Plumbers Ltd - CORGI-registered plumbing and heating in Hertfordshire and North London. Specialising in plumbing, heating, bathrooms, shower rooms, drainage and gas installations.
Looking to buy a DIY conservatory? Master Plastics offer flat packed DIY conservatories built to your design for delivery to both DIY and trade users anywhere in the UK.
X Factor let-down for Hull singer
