After countless hours spent over the last four years trying to bring a flood protection scheme to Pickering, it was devastating to hear that the Environment Agency (EA) had pulled the plug the day before construction was due to begin. Having been closely involved every step of the way, it’s an understatement to say that my opinion of the EA couldn’t be much lower. They’re a classic example of the worst excesses of government bureaucracy.

            The cost of bunds almost trebled overnight and there was no extra cash. The Reservoirs Act says that bunds to protect Pickering from 1: 25 year floods (like the ones in 1999, 2000 and 2002) must have construction standards to withstand a 1:10,000 year event. For a little perspective, 10,000 years takes us back to 8,000BC at the end of the last ice age. I quite understand the danger from bunds not withstanding a major flood, but 1:10,000 is just massively over-engineered and overpriced.  Our main hope now lies with MP Anne McIntosh, who has raised our concerns in parliament. Sadly, even if the Reservoirs Act can be amended, it may be too late to save the £1m RDC funding. It may not seem important right now, but there’ll be some interesting quotes in the press when we flood next. Just think of the comments if lives are lost as a result, because it will happen eventually.

            Fortunately, the Forestry Commission has been hugely more open, honest, cost-effective, accommodating and sensible about risks. They have met all their own targets with simple, small-scale flood protection measures upstream of the town and are continually looking to build more.  Sadly, this only represents about 10% of the protection from bunds.

            On to other issues of interest to P&DCS, we are concerned about the overwhelming number of cafes and food outlets in the town. Despite objections from the town council and us, two more were approved by RDC recently. While it is good news that businesses are thriving in Pickering, there are only a finite number of customers wanting cafes (and certainly not increasing in a major recession or during the off season). Every time an existing shop converts to a cafe, the customers will be spread more thinly and there will be fewer shops to attract them to the town initially.  Where does it end?  Sadly, RDC have no policy, or any interest in producing one, so market forces will just naturally weed out the weakest.

            Does anyone other than NYCC want the excessively high and damaging speed humps in Middleton Road? I’ve never found anyone. It doesn’t help that they started to loosen and become even more dangerous (even to cyclists) within days of being replaced – dreadful value for money from a contractor. I used to be alert to the presence of pedestrians and animals when driving or cycling along there. Now virtually my whole attention is taken up negotiating the humps. Flashing signs that detect speeding motorists are far more effective and less distracting. 

            If you want to add your voice to any of these concerns, why not contact your local councillor.

 Mike Potter.