Work begins on Beverley flood defence work

WORK is under way to avoid a repeat of the 2007 floods in Beverley.

It follows campaigning by residents who launched the Westwood Flood Group after homes in Willow Grove were engulfed by metre-high flood water in the deluge on June 25, 2007.

East Riding Council and Yorkshire Water are carrying out work in a move to prevent further flooding in the area.

The council is aiming to combat flooding off the Westwood at The Hurn by putting a pipeline through gardens along Seven Corners Lane and Langholm Close to divert water to an historic culvert in New Walk.

Yorkshire Water is conducting a CCTV camera survey of the town's underground sewerage system to ensure there are no blockages.

It is also paying for a study to establish how the town's drainage system can be improved.

A Yorkshire Water spokesman said: "In 2007, when the ground was already saturated by previous storms, another prolonged burst of exceptionally heavy rain led to a river of flood water forming on the Westwood pastures, sweeping into Beverley along the course of an ancient riverbed, overwhelming the drainage system, which was not built to cope with such huge flows.

"Yorkshire Water fully appreciates the residents' concerns that, now it's happened once, there's always the potential for a repeat, and the company has been working closely with East Riding Council and the Environment Agency to examine what can be done to mitigate that risk."

A camera survey of the town's underground sewerage system is now almost complete and the results are expected within the next few weeks.

Yorkshire Water has also appointed consultants to conduct a comprehensive study into how the drainage systems in and around Beverley interact so improvements can be made.

Residents are being reassured that contingency plans will be drawn up to protect homes if there is another flood before permanent solutions are found.

Westwood Flood Group spokesman Les Diment, 70, said the fear of further floods is a constant worry for residents.

Mr Diment, whose 1850s Willow Grove home suffered £100,000 of damage in the 2007 floods, said: "Residents are concerned about the risk of further flooding.

"People were anticipating flooding following the thawing of all the snow, which left a lot of 'ponding' on the Westwood.

"Frankly, people will continue to be concerned until they see some real work taking place."