East Riding of Yorkshire Council will increase its flood resilience with the purchase of six trailer-mounted pumps and around 25 submersible pumps for use in flooded properties.
The new equipment will cost around £120,000 and will see one trailer-mounted pump stationed at each of the council’s six depots to allow a rapid response to flooding events as they arise anywhere in the East Riding.
The council works closely with partner agencies, including the Environment Agency and Humberside Fire and Rescue, during periods of inclement weather to provide access to further staff and resources, such as pumping equipment, to work alongside its other operations, including the deployment of sandbags.
The purchase of pumping equipment will allow the council to provide an even more proactive response to localised flooding, such as incidents like Burton Fleming where prolonged and heavy downpours resulted in watercourses bursting their banks.
Nigel Leighton, director of environment and neighbourhood services at East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said: “The council takes the issue of flooding very seriously and is committed to doing all it can to reduce the risk of flooding in the East Riding and strengthen its response when incidents occur.
“As well as investing in more than 100 flood alleviation schemes over recent years, the council has also purchased new gully tankers and the addition of pumping equipment at its six depots will mean that the council can provide an even more robust response.”
The council is currently going through the procurement process now and anticipates taking delivery of the new equipment in early May. Until then, the council will continue to work closely with its partners to access pumping equipment and also hire where and when necessary.