FLOOD-hit Keighley people are frustrated at how difficult it is to find out who is responsible for preventing their ordeal happening again, according to a senior opposition MP.

Kerry McCarthy, the shadow environment secretary, spoke during a visit to parts of Stockbridge yesterday afternoon.

She met residents and local councillors in unadopted streets close to the River Aire, which were some of the worst affected places during the floods on Boxing Day last year.

She was shown inside some of the houses which remain uninhabitable and was introduced to local people by the deputy leader of Bradford Council, Councillor Val Slater, and Keighley East ward Councillor Malcolm Slater.

She was also told about an ongoing bid to combine flood resilience funds of £5,000 per property into one lump sum, to try and fund a major infrastructure repair scheme for Stockbridge's unadopted streets.

Ms McCarthy said: "It has been frustrating for people to find someone who will take responsibility.

"It's not just here, I've now visited quite a few flood-hit places and everywhere it is complicated. We need to have the Environment Agency, councils and water companies working together for a resolution.

"Clearly these extreme weather events are here to stay, it's no good just calling them 'unprecedented'.

"And just because it last happened 15 years ago doesn't mean it'll happen in another 15 years. It could be next week, or next month.

"Building in resilience against flooding as quickly as possible is vital, and we need expert advice – people qualified to come in and assess exactly what needs to be done.

"There does have to be upfront investment, but this will save money in the long-term. Of course we can't stop heavy rain but we can stop it ruining people's lives."

Among the residents she visited were 80-year-old Patrick Murray, who showed her how the River Aire had been just centimetres away from pouring over the wall of his back garden and into his Florist Street home.

"It was frightening," he said. "Not just how high it was but the speed of the water too.

"I've lived here 51 years, and we were flooded out back in 2000. We were out of our house for six months."

Ms McCarthy also visited the nearby homes of Shaminur Rahman and Shazad Ismail – both 37.

The ground floors of their houses are undergoing major repairs after being flooded on Boxing Day, meaning they and their families are having to stay in temporary accommodation.

Mr Rahman said: "I'm insured, and luckily for me the insurance company have been really good. But we do need a lasting solution for the whole area."

A Bradford Road resident, who lost possessions when his cellar was flooded last December, said even when the water was at its highest people had not wanted to leave because they were afraid of criminals taking advantage and looting their empty homes.

The man, who asked not to be named, said the forms people must fill in to claim funds offered to flood-hit properties were extremely complex, and need to be simplified.