Mary Welcomes Flood Funding Success

Mary Creagh, MP for Wakefield has welcomed the news that more money is set to be invested in flood defences after Wakefield Council secured a grant.  

Following an application to the Environment Agency, £85,500 will be handed to the Council to specifically be spent on Rufford Street, Wakefield, which is close to Alverthorpe Beck.   This will form part of a series of work being undertaken by the Council and the Environment Agency to improve the district's flood defences and other related measures.  

Mary Creagh, MP for Wakefield said: "I am thrilled that action is being taken to prevent the terrible floods of 2007 from happening again. The Government is taking action to protect property and prepare for emergencies, including setting up a Flood Forecasting Centre, and providing £15 million to local authorities to lead flood management locally.  There is also a £5 million fund available to households for personal flood protection and £2 million to improve water rescue, including funding for rescue boats and trained personnel."

Cllr Denise Jeffery, Wakefield Council's cabinet member for regeneration, said: "This is great news for residents in the area who have experienced problems when we have had heavy rain.   It is one of three approved schemes in the region and the money will allow us to provide a grant for various flood protections for the houses along the beck." 

The measures include covers for air bricks and gates for doorways. This is the first phase of this grant and will be an example of how these kind of measures can help.   For more information on dealing with flooding issues, contact the Council's Land Drainage Team on 0845 8 506 506.