Villagers have told of their disappointment over a new flooding defence system which failed for the FIFTH time this year, following recent heavy rainfall.
A £20k pumping station was installed in summer 2011 to stop flooding at a notorious east Leeds hotspot, which causes a 7km detour on the outskirts of Leeds for residents and commuters whenever it floods.
Following the biggest September rainfall in recent decades, flooding was reported alongside the busy stretch of Leeds Road in Allerton Bywater.
Allerton Bywater parish councillor Mick Weaver, who lives along the stretch of Leeds Road the pumping station is supposed to protect from flooding, said: “It seems unbelievable and unacceptable that it has flooded yet again. It is the fifth time this year and not what local residents want to see when the weather is bad. It has left may people stuck and unable to pass.
“People are really angry about it and it is time something was done to prevent this happening again.”
Last year an underground facility was installed beside Leeds Road in Allerton Bywater to stop it becoming deluged in bad weather, but last week, it was on the verge of flooding in the heavy rain.
The station - which should transport water from Leeds Road and deposit it behind the village’s food defence banking – was a joint project between the city council, Environment Agency and Allerton Bywater Parish Council.
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When it was completed last June, it was hailed as the best way to prevent persistent flooding on the road – which often forces motorists to make a 7km detour when the road is closed.
Leeds City Council bosses have previously staved off the threat of flooding by sending out a workman with mobile pumping equipment. A spokesman for the Environment Agency said there had previously been some problems with regard to the electricity supply and its connection to the pumping station.
Plans for the scheme were drawn up after flooding repeatedly closed the road to traffic causing the detour. In January 2012 massive floods caused problems. Previously the council would send a workman out with a mobile pumping station to bring down the water level.
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