Scores of kilometres of flood defences along rivers across Yorkshire have deteriorated because of the November floods, a report revealed today.

Along the Ouse, Ure and Swale, about 20 kilometres of defences were in "poor" condition last April. Today, almost 60 kilometres were described as poor.

Along the Wharfe and Nidd, where 15 kms of defences were poor last April, more than 30 kms were in a poor condition after the floods.

The Environment Agency report to a meeting of the Yorkshire Regional Flood Defence Committee also says that a 43 per cent increase in local authority levies to the agency will be needed next year to fund long-term improvements, following the committee's decision last month to vote for only a ten per cent rise this year.

The report also reveals that work on building defences to protect Stamford Bridge could start as soon as October, following the submission of a feasibility study, but certain properties, including the Corn Mill pub, were "uneconomic" to protect.

Updated: 11:17 Thursday, April 05, 2001