Residents' fears over flood alleviation plan delay

Tadcaster has been repeatedly hit by flooding in recent years

Residents and businesses in a North Yorkshire market town have said they are worried by delays to a planned flood alleviation scheme.

Tadcaster has suffered major flooding on several occasions, including in 2015 when a bridge collapsed and left the town split in two.

The Environment Agency said it remained "fully committed" to the planned scheme for the town, but added it had asked for extra time to review the project after one objection was received from Samuel Smith's Brewery, based in the town, and "other concerns" were raised during the planning process.

But Nicola Eades, who runs a dental practice on Bridge Street, said: "Delays we're not accepting. This has to go ahead."

Ms Eades, who is also a member of Tadcaster Flood Action Group, said a similar flood alleviation scheme planned for the town had been abandoned in the face of objections in 2003.

Nicola Eades says the flood alleviation plan for Tadcaster must go ahead

Speaking to the BBC at a meeting on Tuesday about plans for the scheme, Paula Marr, who owns a hairdressers on Commercial Street, said she was "worried" the scheme had been "held up again".

"I own my property and we were flooded in 2015, when we were out for five months, and flooded again in 2022," she explained.

"We're scared of it happening again. We don't get any insurance for flooding at all," she said.

"I've got a livelihood and wages to pay, and every time we're flooded that's always under threat."

Meanwhile, Kirsty Poskitt, an Independent councillor for Tadcaster, said delivery of the scheme, which was due to include raised embankments and better drainage, was vital for the town to "thrive and move forward".

She also said the timing of the delay, with winter approaching, "feels brutal".

"That's what has caused the upset. We've already been on flood alert twice recently," she said.

"It's hard to stress how important getting this in place is."

Kirsty Poskitt said the timing of the delay, ahead of winter, felt "brutal"

Paul Grier, from Tadcaster Angling Club, said any delay to putting the flood alleviation plans into effect was "disappointing".

"I don't see how the town could survive without the scheme," he said.

"There are businesses on the high street that can't get insurance because of the flood events."

Responding, the Environment Agency said: "It is important we take the time to address the issues raised and ensure the scheme has the best chance of securing planning consent, as we know how important this project is for the town."

Samuel Smith's brewery has been contacted for comment.

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