85 'high consequence' flood defences 'below required condition' in Hull and East Riding

THE ENVIRONMENT AGENCY STRESSES THIS DOES NOT MEAN IT HAS FAILED, BUT THAT REPAIRS ARE NEEDED

- By IVAN MORRIS POXTON

EIGHTY-FIVE “high consequence” flood defences across Hull and the East Riding are “below required condition”.

The BBC Shared Data Unit has compiled extensive data on flood defences in England inspected by the Environment Agency.

“High consequence” defences protect multiple homes and businesses. The data shows there are more than 6,500 “high consequence” defences in England that are “below required condition”.

An Environment Agency spokesperson has said protecting people in Lincolnshire and Yorkshire from flooding “is a top priority’. Overall, in the last 10 years it has invested more than £265m in flood defence investment in Hull and the East Riding.

The Environment Agency spokesperson also stressed a “below required condition” defence does not mean it has failed, but that it needs work doing to it.

The data underlines why the Environment Agency is often a key consultee with planning developments proposed in parts of Hull.