Rachael Maskell MP Highlights Frustration Over 4 Years Delay In Protecting York From Floods

Rachael Maskell, MP for York Central, has spent the weekend out across the community in potential flood risk areas talking to residents and business owners about Storm Dennis and the impact that it will have on them. Visiting residents in Micklegate, Fishergate, Clifton and the city centre she reassured residents that she would raise any concerns they had with the appropriate authority. The delay in formal communications from the Council was a recurrent issue that she picked up, reminiscent of 2015, and the need for residents to have up to date information, understanding that circumstances can change at short notice. Things improved as the weekend progressed, but communication could still be better.

Ms Maskell spoke to many businesses and some leaseholders who are still unable to get insurance in the light of the very high premiums. This is an issue that she raised with the Secretary of State for the Environment, when she met him on Sunday afternoon. She also highlighted some of the problems with the property and community level resilience schemes and how the next comprehensive spending review must concentrate on upper catchment management, slowing the flow of the river upstream, especially in Swaledale and on the rivers Nidd and Ure.

“I want to thank all the staff who have been working day and night to mitigate against the worst effects of Storm Dennis. It is clear that York is much better prepared than it was in 2015, and while there is still much to be done, the next 24 hours will be critical in ensuring that the city is safe.

“These extreme weather events are occurring more and more frequently, so it is important that funding is now focused on a sustainable resilience response. York doesn’t want higher and higher flood barriers, but better land management upstream. I secured a meeting with the new Secretary of State for when I return to Westminster and will keep residents up to date with progress I make.”