Leeds: Fresh call for city flood defence

Council chiefs are to call for a £100m flood defence scheme in West Yorkshire to be resurrected following the recent severe weather.

The Leeds scheme was shelved three years ago by the Environment Agency, which said it was too costly.

On Monday parts of the city centre were flooded, causing the railway station and several roads to close.

Council leader Mark Harris said he was worried about the effect of further flooding on the city's economy.

He said: "Last night, many parts of the city's central area were flooded for the first time in living memory.

"The train station was closed and severe traffic disruption had a major impact on business continuity as well as putting city centre shoppers, workers and residents at risk."

The Environment Agency had planned to build defences along the River Aire, which flows through the city centre.

Mr Harris said: "This recent flood event has only served to underline the need for this scheme to be brought back on track urgently.

"The recent flooding was unique and unprecedented.

"Whilst this scheme would not have prevented much of the flooding in other areas of the city, it would have protected people and businesses from flooding in the city centre.

"Floods can have a serious impact on the city's economy and infrastructure and we cannot have a situation where the city centre, which is the heart of the city's economic performance, is being put at risk."

Mr Harris said he planned to meet with the chief executive of the Environment Agency next month to request that the scheme go ahead.