VITAL flood alleviation work which is set to provide reassurance to in-fear communities whose homes have been ravaged by burst rivers multiple times in the last decade will continue at pace thanks to more government cash.
Marie Tidball, who represents Penistone and Stocksbridge, spoke out after meeting with Environment Secretary Steve Reed to press the case for more investment in local flood prevention.
The upper reaches of the 69-mile-long River Don, which flows through Penistone, was added to a list of Barnsley improvement schemes alongside ongoing work on the Dearne and Dove and Lundwood and Low Valley respectively.
An extra £2m additional funding in the government’s latest announcement on boosting flood defences was revealed earlier this month.
Marie said: “The Labour government inherited flood assets in their poorest condition on record, as years of under-investment and damaging storms left just 92 per cent of the Environment Agency’s 38,000 assets at the required condition.
“With the frequency of extreme weather events only continuing to rise leading to devastating impacts for people, homes, business and communities - costing the UK and our local economy billions each year - decisive action to invest in adapting to climate change has never been more important.
“I look forward to working with the government, the council and the Environment Agency to ensure these schemes are delivered.”
Ms Tidball has played a key role in river-related matters since her successful election campaign, having also welcomed the government’s move to give regulators new powers over water company bosses.
It was the most significant increase in enforcement powers in a decade, according to the government, and delivers on Labour’s manifesto pledge to clean up the water sector.
The new law imposes tougher penalties for law-breaking - including potential imprisonment for water bosses - if companies fail to co-operate or obstruct investigations into sewage discharges or blocked stretches.
Silkstone Beck - which runs from Silkstone Common towards Barnsley - and Highwood Dike, near Wortley, have been subject to serious sewage dumping, adding to flood risk.
Marie added: “Toxic sewage dumping from water companies affects our entire constituency, with the beautiful River Don and its tributaries running from Dunford Bridge through Penistone.
“This bill is a major step forward in fixing our broken water system.
“The Labour government will outline further legislation to fundamentally transform how the water industry is run, and speed up the delivery of upgrades to our sewage infrastructure to clean up our waterways for good.”
A report - from the Connected By Water scheme which aimed to address huge floods which have impacted South Yorkshire in recent years - revealed big work is planned.
“The plan is to take the River Dove offline so it doesn’t flow directly into the River Dearne,” it added.
“We’re hoping to build large attenuation ponds, which basically will improve wildlife, habitat and natural biodiversity.
“It means we’re doing several things all at once but the main thing is protecting properties, protecting the people around here and reducing the impact we can never stop flooding, but we can reduce the impact.
“Flooding does upset people - it causes health problems and people don’t want water through the front door.
“What we’re doing isn’t just for the council or environment, it’s about looking after ourselves and protecting people.”
