A POWERFUL committee of MPs has criticised the Environment Agency's early
flood warning system.
In a report published today, the Public Accounts select committee said the agency needed to speed up improvements to the system - which is depended upon by hundreds of householders in flood risk areas in North Yorkshire.
In the wake of the November 2000 floods, the Environment Agency increased its early warning system to homes at greatest risk. In 1996 only 13 per cent of homes received early warnings, but now 60 per cent of homes are covered.
The agency aims to achieve 80 per cent cover of all homes at risk by 2009/10. But the proposal has been criticised by the all-party House of Commons committee for its lack of ambition.
Chairman Edward Leigh said: "People should be able to expect a two-hour warning at the very least, but the agency's all too modest aim means that by 2009 one in five households would still not even get this much notice."
Flood warnings remained in place today on the River Ouse, in York, and at Naburn Lock, although water levels are slowly going down. Therewas also a flood watch on the River Derwent, at Welham Road, Norton.
Updated: 10:53 Friday, March 01, 2002
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article