Doncaster councillor rages after massive flood protection projects leave out borough

Labour councillor Jane Nightingale, who represents the Bentley ward, one of the worst affected areas back in November 2019, said the announcement displayed such a ‘poor’ service from Government to residents in the area.

November’s floods affected dozens of communities as a month’s rainfall fell in just one day causing the Don to burst its banks.

Around 700 properties were flooded or deemed ‘unlivable’ causing millions worth of damage.

Ministers announced a national package claimed to be in the region of £5.2bn by 2027 for a variety of schemes and measures in order to further protect homes and businesses.

A list of schemes were mentioned, including in Leeds, Sheffield, Brighton, Suffolk and Cornwall, but not Doncaster.

But Tory MP Nick Fletcher, who represents Don Valley, said the Sheffield works will benefit Doncaster further down the River Don in the borough.

Coun Nightingale said: “I’ve sent this out to residents in the Bentley area to say this is what our Government think that we’re worth.

“We’ve also been on to Ed Miliband and we’re all avidly trying to get a response from Government on this issue and the Environment Agency.

“I’m not happy at all, this is such a poor service for the people who live in constant fear of flooding in this community.”

Doncaster Conservative MP Fletcher said: “This investment will benefit the whole region and all areas of Doncaster.

“Enhanced flood defences in Sheffield inevitably help boost Doncaster too. The principles which the Conservative government are working towards include harnessing the environment to prevent coastal erosion and flooding.

“It’s about ensuring that flood mitigation and water management go hand in hand. This will benefit all the region. A flood defence in Sheffield has a lot of impact on water management. “This in turn benefits at risk communities here in Don Valley. Creating these mutually beneficial relationships is key to how we manage flood risks across South Yorkshire.”