Mary Demands 'Urgent Review' of Wakefield Flood Defences

28th June 2007

Mary Creagh MP has demanded the Environment Secretary instigate an urgent review of Wakefield flood defences following the flooding chaos occurring in Wakefield.

Rt Hon David Miliband MP made a statement to the House of Commons on the national response to the flooding, and Mary took the opportunity to raise the problems in Wakefield.

Mary Creagh MP said in the House of Commons: “May I associate myself with the expressions of condolence towards the families of those victims who have been tragically killed and injured by the flooding of the past two days.”

“In January I received a letter from the local Environment Agency informing me that the Flood Alleviation Scheme for Ings Beck, a tributary of the River Calder, would be delayed indefinitely. It was supposed to be completed earlier this year.”

“Can I ask the Secretary of State to instigate an urgent review of the Environment Agency’s prioritisation of these flood defence schemes. Wakefield is now flooded for the second time in two weeks, many A-roads are affected, the East Coast Mainline is shut, and the M1 and the M62 motorways are both greatly affected as they follow the path of the rivers Calder, the Aire and Hebble that run through my constituency.”

Mary later gave her personal reaction to the flooding in Wakefield: “The emergency response from <city w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Wakefield</place></city> Council has been fantastic. They have distributed 15,000 sandbags, quickly set up two emergency centres at Lightwaves and St Catherine’s church. This is obviously a very stressful time for many people with entire streets in Agbrigg and the west of the city evacuated. However I am seeking a meeting with the Environment Secretary to look at the whole issue of West Yorkshire’s flood defences to ensure that people are properly protected and <city w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Wakefield</place></city> is prioritised in future planning.”