Over the Christmas and New Year period Alec was out and about across Elmet & Rothwell helping local residents impacted by flooding.
After conducting a survey of all flooding hotspots on Sunday 27th December 2016 it was evident that most flood defences and alleviation schemes had performed properly and utilised designated floodplains to protect homes and businesses.
Regrettably, this was not the case in Collingham where flood water breached the flood defence causing substantial damage to homes on The Avenue. Alec was on-site with Councillor Matthew Robinson ensuring emergency services and agencies were dealing with the relief effort. Additionally, Alec was in Linton when the road bridge connecting Linton to Collingham collapsed into the River Wharfe resulting in its immediate closure.
A retaining wall on the Boston Road entry into Wetherby collapsed causing obstruction to the highway. Wetherby Councillors were able to get the area cordoned off with temporary traffic lights in place and the road is now back open for two-way traffic. Councillor Wilkinson and Alec are progressing a request for additional fencing and a temporary crossing to protect the area for pedestrians.
On his return to Parliament today, Alec has asked the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to confirm additional support for flood hit communities in Yorkshire.
A small number of homes in Lower Mickletown were flooded but heavy flood water was very near to flooding more homes in Methley and Mickletown. Although most homes and businesses were protected by nearby floodplains and flood defences, some farmers were badly hit by flood water. In Methley, Alec is questioning the decision of the Environment Agency to allow flood water covering fields on the outskirts of the village recede slowly over the next six months, rather than pumping the water away.
In Woodlesford, flooding of the River Aire and the Aire & Calder Navigation resulted in extensive flooding on land initially proposed for the location of a High Speed Rail route by The Locks. Alongside local residents and HS2 SOWHAT campaigners Alec has raised this matter with HS2 Ltd on a number of occasions and will now ensure photographs of these floods are used to vindicate those arguments.
In the coming weeks Alec will be hosting a number of meetings with officials from Leeds City Council and its agencies to ensure that remedial works to damaged highways, properties and farmland takes place as soon as possible.
If you have been effected by the floods and are not already in touch with Alec, please contact him on 01937 589 002.
