ENVIRONMENT bosses have confirmed that major flood defence improvements in York will be halted by funding cuts.

The Press revealed last weekend how plans to strengthen and raise embankments in the Leeman Road area were in jeopardy.

Now York City of York Council environment chief Andrew Waller has confirmed that the upgrade will not go ahead until at least 2010 - unless the Government increases flood defence funding nationwide.

The defences saved hundreds of properties from inundation by floodwaters from the River Ouse in November, 2000, but came close to being overtopped.

After lengthy consideration, the Environment Agency decided last year to strengthen them, saying that climate change meant that flooding risks would increase in the 21st century.

The Yorkshire Regional Flood Defence committee yesterday confirmed a total of £35 million will be allocated to the whole of Yorkshire in 2007/08.

Committee chairman Jeremy Walker said this meant it would be able to continue building Selby's new tidal defences, completing work in Wakefield and refurbishing the Hull Tidal Surge Barrier.

"Money will also be spent on improving our flood warning service, so the Environment Agency's predictions are faster, more accurate and cover a wider area," he said.

Local authority members of the committee also agreed to raise a further £518,000 in contributions from councils across Yorkshire and the Humber.

However, the agency said some schemes would not be funded in the next financial year, because there was limited money available.

Coun Waller confirmed the Leeman Road upgrade was one of those affected. "It's bitterly disappointing," he said, revealing that he was one of the residents evacuated from their homes in 2000 when it was feared the defences might not hold.

He said Mr Walker intended to make representations to a Minister about the cutbacks.

Regional flood manager Mark Tinnion said funding had been prioritised to get the maximum benefit to the region for the money available.

A priority scoring system was used to allocate funds nationally, based on the likelihood of flooding, the number of people at risk, economic and social criteria.

"There are about 260,000 properties at risk from flooding in Yorkshire and the north-east, which is about 11 per cent of the national total," he said.

"A lot of money has been invested in our region in the last five years, which means that we have been able to take great strides towards reducing flood risk."

The full plan of work for 2007-8 will be agreed at the committee's April meeting.