‘People are scared everytime it rains’ – Doncaster councillor hits out at lack of flood defence plans

Labour councillor Lani-Mae Ball, who represents Conisbrough and Denaby, presented a petition to a meeting of the full council with 1,156 signatures calling on Government in properly invest in flood defences.

Her ward was one of the many areas hit by flooding and recalled a time where people ‘nearly lost their lives’ if it had not been for the actions of one resident in Old Denaby.

“We had an array of senior politicians and royal family members come up last year to Doncaster to share their well wishes – but we feel that despite national coverage, no follow up or concrete plans have been implemented to address these issues,” Coun Ball told the meeting.

“People should not be living in their homes fearful. We are a year on and many members of the community are scared every time it rains and worrying if they will have to go through the horror again.

“Having to watch their possessions get destroyed, their homes uninhabitable, insurance companies reluctant to pay out, premiums going up, every aspect of their lives negatively impacted by the aftereffects.”

The councillor also hit out at the decision to not include Doncaster on a list of Government investments in flood defences earlier in July.

But Coun Ball added: “We were more than disappointed and shocked that Doncaster was not on the list and that further up the Don, again, was included. This is a blatant diversion to protect big businesses over communities.

“We appreciate that the Environment Agency states that the works at Meadowhall do not impact further down the stream, but the perception contrasts this and at the end of it all – the money is being unfairly diverted at the expense of Doncaster.”

Coun Ball also took issue with budget cuts to the Environment Agency, responsible for flood defences, saying the department had its funding cut by more than 50 per cent since 2010.

She said that this meant some ‘shovel ready schemes’ that the agency could implement in the community ‘do not have a big enough budget to tackle these issues’.

An Environment Agency spokesman said the department has worked closely with Doncaster Council, Yorkshire Water and the Internal Drainage Boards to investigate the causes of the flooding, inspect and repair to flood defences and said work had started on vegetation clearance work along Kearsley Brook in Conisbrough to reduce flood risk.

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.