Flood management plan badly flawed

Published on 28th June 2007 in Letters

Sir - After studying the Aire Catchment Flood Management Plan I find it totally flawed in respect of the Upper and Lower catchment areas.

To assume that water levels are going to rise in future is unproven, they are accepting the advice of scientific cranks. Not to consult with other River Authorities (Ouse, Don, Went) seems incongruous, if their plans are as incompetent as those of the Aire Management Plan.

The inhabitants of Goole and Selby are doomed whether water levels rise or not if protection ceases as suggested by the river Aire planners in the Upper and Lower catchment areas.

If the million inhabitants of central Yorkshire are to be protected, they should at least have to pay for the inconvenience and losses caused to the minority, in my opinion, as the Department of the Environment admits that it has no direct funding for any compensation.

As world cereal reserves go below 30 days' supply, taking out up to 0.5 tons of production with the reformation of Humber Lake as it was 10,000 years ago does not seem to make sense either.

What is the problem with continuing the current level of protection and not pre-judging the future?

J. R. Everatt

Station Road,

Carlton