HUNDREDS of residents in the Leeman Road area of York are to be asked for their views on a proposed £6.5 million upgrade of flood defences.

A Government Minister has told York MP Hugh Bayley that a number of possible options had been identified by the Environment Agency for improving existing flood embankments.

The defences protect more than 500 properties when the Ouse bursts its banks, but they came perilously close to being overtopped during the record floods of November 2000.

The agency has also warned previously that flooding risks are set to increase through the 21st century because of climate change.

Defra minister Huw Irranca-Davies said the options for improving the defences included increasing the height and extent of the existing embankments.

He said: “There will be a consultation in early 2010 as the agency wants to understand how the local community use the open space, and what impact the options identified may have on this.

“It wants to know what the local community wants and to use all the information available to help select the best solution.”

He said the current standard of protection at Leeman Road was one of the lowest in York. The Ouse Flood Risk Management Strategy had recommended providing defences to a 1-in-200 standard, and the agency was currently assessing what standard of protection its proposed options could deliver.

He said funding was available for a start on work in 2012, but he warned that as the agency’s medium-term plan was subject to national prioritisation, this could change.

York council leader Andrew Waller has warned previously that national cutbacks in future public spending could put the scheme in jeopardy.

Mr Bayley said the improvements were essential and he was pleased funding had been allocated. He said he had been in touch with the agency to ask that the consultation should take place on a day when he is in York.