Flood defence chiefs ask for views of the people (From Gazette & Herald)

Flood defence chiefs ask for views of the people

FLOOD defence engineers are to hold an open day to ask residents of a flood-hit Ryedale town how they want to see their homes protected.

The announcement of the consultation in Pickering came as residents in nearby Malton and Norton were seeing their multi-million pound flood defences officially opened.

Pickering residents have been invited to an Environment Agency (EA) open day later this month.

The flood defence engineers are asking local people to advise them on a range of possible options to protect their homes.

Schemes being considered include widening the existing channel of the beck, re-grading and deepening it, providing upstream flood storage or creating a flood relief channel.

Building a flood diversion tunnel or flood walls through the town are also among the proposals put forward following discussions with the local flood forum.

Mike Dugher, improvements engineer for the EA, said: "We listened to the community of Pickering last year and have undertaken further feasibility studies for flood defences in the town.

"We want to reassure people that we not only look at what will protect the town, but what the environmental impacts are, and that includes visual impact."

Residents raised objections to a possible flood defence scheme in 2001 because of fears the defences were unsightly and would spoil the character of the town.

A letter inviting people to this month's open day has been sent out to more than 400 residents and businesses in the area, with a fact file of options so people are aware of the scheme before the consultation day.

Mr Dugher said that after the open day EA officers will take away the public comments and select the preferred option for a scheme in Pickering.

That will then be presented at another consultation day.

But residents have already been warned that an overly expensive scheme could mean flood defences would not be economically viable or justifiable.

Town and district councillor Natalie Warriner said she was pleased the consultation was going ahead.

"I hope though, that the Environment Agency has taken on board the comments made at the last local flood forum meeting," she said.

"They were very sensible and straight-forward and I hope they have taken those into account."

The open day takes place at Pickering Memorial Hall from 2.30pm to 8pm on Monday July 21.

Environment Agency staff and representatives from consultants Babtie Brown and Root will be available for all that time.

Updated: 11:08 Wednesday, July 16, 2003