MANY residents and businesses affected by last year’s Boxing Day floods are still struggling to recover fully from the devastation that hit their communities.

A year of turmoil, upheaval and struggle for people in the worst-affected parts of our district is clear evidence, if any more were needed, of the fact that prevention is better than cure when it comes to flooding.

With that in mind, it’s promising to learn today that 15 areas of the district have been identified for flood prevention work as part of the Bradford Flood Programme.

The fact that debris has been removed from waterways at the 15 locations is another positive development.

Residents living near these locations will be anxious for the right measures to be put in place as soon as possible in an attempt to prevent a repeat of last winter’s heartbreaking scenes in towns such as Shipley, Baildon, Bingley and Keighley.

While it would be unusual to have another period as wet as last Christmas so soon, it’s worth noting that the 21st century has already seen a succession of extreme weather events in Britain.

Faced with this reality, there’s no doubt that flood resilience must remain a matter of priority and consistent focus for decision-makers at both local and national level.

In the past, Bradford Council has been criticised in some quarters for its initial response to the Boxing Day flooding and perceived delays thereafter in creating a flood strategy. However, the latest announcements indicate that the issue is now being treated with the priority it deserves.