News Flood action group formed
A flood meeting held in Gilberdyke last Wednesday resulted in a number of people who attended putting their names forward to be part of a Parish Council Flood Action Group.
East Riding of Yorkshire Council is asking all ward councillors and parish councils to report on the flooding in their communities and for their suggestions on what can be done to prevent further flooding. This will be the first task of the Flood Action Group.
East Riding of Yorkshire councillor for Howdenshire, Paul Robinson, said: "The meeting was always going to be emotional, with many Gilberdyke residents suffering the adverse effects, many having to move out whilst others elected to stay in their homes whilst repair work was carried out."
During the recent flooding the area south of Gilberdyke and the railway, including the dykes in front of the farms on Bellasize Lane into which the surface water from the west side of Gilberdyke discharges, overflowed, with water across the road in places.
At the meeting, a Lower Internal Ouse Drainage Board proposal for improving the flow of surface water from Gilberdyke and land south to the river was discussed at length.
This included plans for a new cross-dyke to bring the main dykes together, deepening and regrading of existing dykes, and the installation of a pumping station similar to the one discharging at Yokefleet, to pump the water up and over the bank into the river.
The effect of this would be to ensure surface water drained quickly from Gilberdyke and the surrounding communities. The impact of increased development and a perceived lack of local input into planning decisions was also raised.
Mr Robinson, said: "I have since spoken to the ERYC finance department regarding funding the Lower Ouse Internal Drainage Board proposal, and will have further discussions and meetings in the days and weeks to come.
"I realise the problems associated with getting water out of villages such as Gilberdyke is shared by other communities, the nearest being North Cave, where again, the main watercourse from the village could not cope with the volume of water, with lack of maintenance being one of the factors."
He added: "It is acknowledged that to get water out of Gilberdyke in the future is a significant problem and must be the priority. Without this being achieved very little effective work can be done in the village. But, once the water can flow freely from Gilberdyke, other work inside the village itself can be done to further alleviate the flooding problems.
"This one proposal for Gilberdyke may well become part of a much larger flood defence project, therefore we should be mindful of working in isolation, but not put off doing as much as we can.
"Rest assured, the ERYC took note of the feelings of Gilberdyke's residents last year and I, along with my fellow Howdenshire ward councillors, will be continuing to make sure residents voices are heard on future development, as well the overall flooding situation."
Published on 16th August 2007 in News.
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