A HARD-HITTING report into the York floods crisis of 2000 has drawn up a list of proposals aimed at curbing the impact of another deluge.

The final report of the city's Floods Scrutiny Panel contains 20 recommendations to protect York from the River Ouse.

The chairman of the group today said the York area was now better equipped to deal with a similar sandbag scare.

But his panel also hit out at Government and Environment Agency responses to the crisis.

In the report, members express "disappointment" at the speed with which Environment Agency's plans were drawn up after November 2000. They say the council should write to the agency to get more details on how they plan to protect York.

They also call for help from local MPs to secure extra Government cash to improve barrier protection across the city.

The panel says the council should write to Environment Minister Elliot Morley expressing concern about the way flood defence schemes are selected and the "adverse effect" the fragmented system is having on the delivery of a comprehensive flood defence strategy.

Councillors should attend flood awareness training session, the panel states, and a full review of all potential flood evacuation centres should be carried out with details on emergency bases updated annually.

Members also called for the chief executive of City of York Council to write to insurance chiefs over concerns about unequal treatment towards flood-risk residents. Concerns were also raised about the Association of British Insurers' "seeming reluctance to address the problem with its members".

The report states: "The recommendations made, if enacted, could reduce the effects of a flood of the magnitude experienced in 2000."

The panel was set up after the unprecedented floods of 2000 to draw up a multi-agency response to any repeat.

The chairman, Coun Richard Moore, today said York would be better prepared if there was a similar flood to that experienced in 2000. He said the council and other agencies now had a better understanding of their roles.

He said he was not criticising their role in 2000, but added: "They would all respond with the improved knowledge of the last three years and put a more robust response together."

Although the panel will disband after its final meeting on Wednesday, the executive will be asked to monitor the progress of the recommendations.

Praise for the Press

TODAY'S report poured praise on the Evening Press coverage of the 2000 floods.

The panel who compiled the report singled the Evening Press out for recognition for the contribution it made which, they suggest, could be used to set the benchmark for other media.

The report states: "Yorkshire Evening Press covered the floods professionally and in a spirit of co-operation.

"It has reported subsequent flooding appropriately with its reports being measured, not sensationalist.

"The panel believes that our local newspaper deserves to be recognised for its contribution, from which other members of the media, might in retrospect, learn."

BBC Radio York also comes in for praise. Its news coverage is described as "timely and helpful" with the main stories well reported.

The intrusive attitude of some elements of the broadcast media is described as "disappointing" however, with some camera crews paying no heed to requests that non-essential trips to the city centre should be curtailed.

Updated: 10:38 Thursday, August 05, 2004