Flood defences in the Clementhorpe area of the city look an unlikely prospect as Environment Agency (EA) officers have confirmed they are subject to the Government's autumn Comprehensive Spending Review.

A report to the council's Executive in March this year gave it various options for tackling the problem of flooding in Clementhorpe, including continued use of a temporary demountable ‘aquabarrier' flood defence system. But this was dismissed as failing to tackle the problem of seepage and damage to the road.

Coun. Julie Gunnell explained what prospects there are for a solution long-term:

"The Executive cancelled the aquabarrier trial in favour of a sandbag bund solution in the short-term. But longer term, it requested the EA provide information on how Clementhorpe and other parts of the city are to be protected from flooding in the future, with details on when the necessary works will take place.

"The response to that is mixed. On the plus side the EA is saying Clementhorpe is on the top ten list of schemes due to be subject to a study, but on the down side the Government's spending review in October could stop this. I sincerely hope that as the EA has publicly recognised this as a priority area, that they continue to seek a solution for the long-term. This decision could affect the safety and security of people's homes in Clementhorpe".

Coun. Dave Merrett, who attended March's Executive meeting to argue for lobbying the Environment Agency for early action, said:

"Even if this goes ahead, it is only a study, and not the flood defence works that will protect vulnerable residents. It appears a permanent solution is as far away as it ever has been. Residents should not be expected to continue with this indefinitely and the uncertainty is just as bad as being told that there is no money for flood defences. The Lib Dem council needs to step up its lobbying of the new Government, DEFRA Ministers and our MPs and argue York's case, just as we will do as Micklegate ward councillors.

"It's almost a decade since residents had their properties flooded, and they shouldn't still be waiting for proper defences."