Prepared by Garforth Flood Support Group for the Garforth Neighbourhood Planning Forum AGM on Saturday 20th September

2014

Established 2008

Flooding problems in GarforthHistoric

Catastrophic

Recent: 2008-2012

HistoricAt least three layers of clay

Indiscriminate building and attachment to inadequate drainage infrastructure since the 2nd World War

Change of Council structure and administration in 1974 reducing drain maintenance regime

1960s: Word of mouth, flooded properties since the 1960s.

1980s: Several incidents in the 1980s, none internal, so far as is recorded, other than in cellars, gardens, garages and outhouses but property damaged or lost e.g. freezer contents and garden equipment .

2007: Flooding in several areas of Garforth, many people out of their property for months. Came to light that some of these had had previous bad flooding several times since 2000.

2014: The most widespread flooding across the town for multiple reasons (including the highest intensity of rainfall ever measured) in living memory.

Kingsway

Kingsway & Fidler TerraceKingsway

Culvert blocked by services

Fidler Terrace

Lindsay Road

Beechgrove Terrace

Lidgett Lidgett Lane

Grange Avenue

Barley Hill Playing Field

Barley Hill Playing Field

Lowther Rd .

2007 2014

Formation of the GroupDEFRA pilot scheme 2007

Personal contact after flooding 2007

Invitation to form a group 2008

Initial format 2008

Constitutionally set up 2009

Involvement with other bodiesLeeds City Council....Drainage/Planning/Local

Councillors (grants)Environment AgencyOperation WatermarkYorkshire WaterVoluntary Action Leeds: Constitution & Web siteMary Dhonau: visit & contactsNorthern Flood Association, attending conferencesOther Flood Groups e.g. Toll Bar, reciprocated

visits

How the group is runRegular meetingsPersonal contactProper agendaProper minutesAction plan set upRegular routines e.g. gully & watercourse

watch, flooding reports, planning application & building site monitoring

Fund raising

Action Plan Set UpInvolvement with LCC Peace & Emergency

PlanningInvolvement with the Environment AgencyDocumentVital informationSub warden areasTrigger pointsEmergency action

Flood Store

Fund Raising

Subscription, currently £5 annually

Raffle at meetings

Programme of events for 2014

Future Plans

Flood resilience work

Spreading the Message

Upkeep of installed flood resilience products

Help for future flood victims