A RECENT informative Evening Press piece, "The Great Floods of 2000", used excellent graphics to detail the works and large amounts of money spent on flood protection schemes for York, since those "once in a hundred year" floods of 1982.

So far, the main concern regarding those schemes has been whether they have been substantively undermined by the Ouse, which through silting has become as useful as a blocked drain in times of heavy rain.

Last week there was a meeting between aggrieved residents of Rawcliffe and the bodies responsible for protection measures during the recent floods.

However, at the last moment the Environment Agency felt unable to attend the meeting citing as its reason that inspection of flood defences was its main priority. As the meeting was held at 7pm in the evening, the efficacy of inspecting in the dark seems doubtful.

On the other hand, was an inspection of its performance its main concern and a desire to keep that in the dark?

While its spending abilities are not in question, its planning abilities left something to be desired. Therefore, Rawcliffe and indeed all of York's residents will be hoping that before the next "once in a hundred year" event occurs, that the relevant authorities envisage and plan for all possibilities.

With global warming, the unexpected will become the expected.

Richard Lamb,

Greystoke Road,

Rawcliffe,

York.

...IT is heartbreaking to see most of our local shops, two pubs, certain houses, the Methodist Church hall and the whole of the popular caravan site here, mopping up once again.

We were told by the Environment Agency in 1999 that it was unlikely to happen again, but this time we know it will happen again and again.

The Government has offered help and surely - without delay - defences must be looked into, dredging started urgently, and farmers urged to put ditching as a priority.

How many fields do we see now with ditches?

Our grateful thanks to the International Rescue team who worked so hard in the village ferrying people to work at the local factory and nursing homes, and to the East Riding workers who came in speedily to help clean up.

Councillor Bryan R Lawson,

Burton Fields Road,

Stamford Bridge, York.

...I READ with interest your article about awarding the Freedom of the City for the army in their efforts to keep the flood waters at bay.

What a great job they did. But I think that we should be praising all the services for their superb efforts over a very difficult period.

The council staff, police, the army, Environment Agency and so forth all did a remarkable job for which they should be thanked by the people of York and surrounding areas.

But I would especially like to praise the fire brigade from both York and Acomb, and their colleagues from all round North Yorkshire, Ripon, Harrogate, Skipton, Northallerton to name but a few.

They did a superb job pumping out flooded road drains around the clock, often in remote places up and to their knees in mud, stopping the water from backing up into people's homes and property.

Mike Adams,

Mayfield Grove,

York.