York's flood recovery
The recovery from the flooding continues in York despite questions remaining over how it happened in the first place (apart from the large volume of rain)!
Last week I was out with colleagues helping local businesses and the community, just as I did in 2000. Longer term we need to be looking at factors that may have exacerbated the flooding in York and elsewhere. These may include:
The UK's energy policies and continued dependence on fossil fuels for transport and energy
Draining, farming and development on flood plains and destruction of bogs and areas that absorb water.
Continuing hard surfacing of gardens
Deforestation
In the meantime funding is available for York businesses:
Health & Safety Consultant
9 年Descending from a farming community in the fens of Lincolnshire (where I hasten to add we have escaped very lightly this winter) I find it odd that there is an apparent concern about the clearing of drainage ditches and that it may lead to further flooding. I am puzzled in that our ancestors dug these by hand for one reason, that being to relieve flooding and allow water to drain more easily. Over the years of mass agricultural practices and construction developments across the country many of these have disappeared, I know,I have ploughed some of them in to make larger and easier accessible fields. However in times of torrential rain, the path of the old ditch could still be seen, our ancestors weren't fools and didn't just dig a trench for the fun of it.
Uni of York Associate Dean, Lecturer, Business Mentor and Coach, Tech Fanatic and Practicing Artist, Producer of Northern Digital Storytelling Festival 2023.
9 年Its probably worth saying that despite media coverage, 98% of York businesses, retail and attractions were NOT flooded and York is very much open for business! So come visit and bring your friends :)
Head of Economy and Development at Renfrewshire Council
9 年All the best for the recovery, Mike. Thinking of you guys at this time. Media coverage looked horrendous in terms of depth and extent of flooding. Best to all.
Garrison Staff Officer at the Ministry of Defence
9 年And hopefully we can re-educate bus drivers too! ;)