A RESIDENT hit by floods in Keighley has attacked the quality of flood defence work at his home.

Matthew Chapman, whose Stockbridge house nearly flooded after water submerged its basement on Boxing Day 2015, said work done by UK Flood Barriers was inadequate.

Mr Chapman, 33, said "Either the work should be done properly, or not done at all."

UK Flood Barriers responded: "Mr Chapman signed ‘Completion Statements’ confirming he's happy with work carried out.

"Bradford Council’s Building Control team have visited, inspected his property and signed off the work."

Mr Chapman said measures at his home, funded from a £5,000 grant, had been installed poorly.

"They drilled holes in my front and back UPVC doors to put flood gates on, instead of mounting the gates on metal runners," he said.

"They paid me £1,000 for the damage to the doors, but because these aren't flood resilient doors the flood gates are useless.

"They installed a wooden frame on the outside of the door to my outhouse, to hold another flood gate. But wood is completely unsuitable for this purpose, as it'll rot."

Mr Chapman said workers fitted a sump pump in his basement, telling him it cost £2,500 and shifts 500 litres of water per minute.

He argued this is overcharging taxpayers, as he says there is no way this type of pump should cost so much.

"The pump hasn't been secured properly, so it's likely to topple over and not function in another flood," he said.

"It'll direct water into my back garden, which is in a dip and was under water during the floods. Any water pumped out of the basement will seep through the foundations and end up back in my basement."

UK Flood Barriers' spokesman said: "Our surveyor made it clear the most discreet fitting would be one where barrier fittings are drilled into the UPVC door surround. This was documented on the written survey which Mr Chapman accepted.

"As a goodwill gesture we paid Mr Chapman £1,000 to cover damage, as he saw it.

"Homes don't require a Flood Defender Door and Flood Defender Barrier on the same doorway.

"When we fitted a Defender Barrier to the outhouse, the existing wooden door and door frame were rotten. The only option was to attach seasoned oak packers to the brickwork into which the Defender Barrier fixings were installed.

"Seasoned oak is tried and tested and doesn't rot or warp.

"The £2,500 sump and pump price includes the sump and pump, non-return valve to avoid water backflow, full installation and electrical installation certificate.

"We've been unable to secure this system to Mr Chapman's satisfaction because he won't allow us access.

"Given his concerns over the system's effectiveness, it was agreed as a goodwill gesture we'd contribute £500 towards a petrol powered system.

"Mr Chapman’s concerns that the sump and pump will direct water into his garden and back into the foundations are unfounded.

"A sump and pump keeps flood water circulating, ensuring water levels inside the property are lower than outside."

"We've met Mr Chapman and offered a full ‘wet test’ of his Door Barriers. He refused this."

Bradford Council said: “Homeowners are responsible for selecting contractors to carry out work on their property under the Government Flood Resilience Grants scheme.

"Where we're made aware of issues they'll be investigated accordingly. The grant will not be paid until the dispute has been resolved.

"We'll continue to support homeowners who've applied for Flood Resilience Grants.”