OTLEY’S MP has secured a meeting with a Government minister to discuss the town’s flood defences.
Alex Sobel (Lab, Leeds North West) called for the meeting after the town suffered flooding again - for the third weekend in a row - on Saturday, February 22.
A Flood Alleviation Scheme has been in the pipeline for years and a £3.3 million proposal, including £2 million of government funding, is currently with Leeds planners.
Mr Sobel, addressing the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, George Eustace, in Parliament, said: “Over the last three weekends Otley has seen the worst flooding since Boxing day, 2015. A £2 million alleviation scheme is due to be completed this year but the relevant permissions from the Environment Agency have not yet been sorted out and planning permission and advice on the national policy framework are still needed.
“Leeds City Council is ready to deliver the scheme. Will the Secretary of State meet me, and the relevant agencies, to ensure that it goes ahead?” Mr Eustace replied: “I should be happy to meet the Honourable Gentleman to discuss those issues.”
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