FLOOD chiefs have come under fire for failing to complete an essential report expected two years ago.

Research allowing the Environment Agency to predict the effects of rainfall - essential to discover what work needs to be done to York's flood defences - is still not finished.

City of York councillors claimed its lateness was seriously delaying protection of the city. They criticised Environment Agency officers who gave a presentation at the city's Guildhall. The presentation had initially been planned to announce the results of the report.

But council leader Dave Merrett said: "Instead, they just told us what they felt able to tell us, which is that there is more delay in what we are waiting for.

"We are waiting to find out where the water is rising, how that water flows down the river and what might occur after rainfall so that we can predict the consequences and can get on with improving our defences. It was supposed to be ready in 2001. It is now 2003 and it's still not here. It is really pushing back the time when we can expect to have better defences."

He was joined by Liberal Democrats in his criticisms. The party's leader, Coun Steve Galloway, said: "We came along here in anticipation of receiving this information. It is taking a long time to get this information together and, if we knew it wouldn't have been ready, there would have been no point in being here tonight."

Liberal Democrat Coun Nick Blitz said: "I have been to six to eight meetings attended by the Environment Agency since the floods in Rawcliffe, and it's always jam tomorrow with you people.

"You promised this plan in April 2001 yet, again, you have not come up with anything that actually delivers. What confidence should people affected by the floods have?"

Environment Agency representative Peter Holmes said: "Last year, the Yorkshire Flood Defence Committee spent £26 million, and approaching £8 million in Malton.

"Malton has flooded twice without any protection at all. We took the decision that their need was greater than others.

"The demand for resources that we have, both with money and time, exceeds what we can provide and we have to look at priorities. Those priorities are the ones we are putting in place first."

Updated: 11:37 Wednesday, January 15, 2003