KEIGHLEY residents can learn about the new Flood Risk Management Strategy during a drop-in event on Monday.

Bradford Council will host the consultation session, one of five across the district due to be held for the public during May.

The session will begin at 5.30pm in Victoria Hall in Keighley, and the next will be on Tuesday from 2pm to 5.30pm at Bingley Arts Centre.

As a lead local flood authority, the council is required by the Government to produce a Local Flood Risk Management Strategy to help to guide and prioritise actions to manage the local risk.

The strategy sets out the council’s objectives for managing the flood risk, working alongside organisations including the Environment Agency, Yorkshire Water, the Highways Agency and neighbouring councils.

The strategy will also be used to identify where funding for future flood risk reduction schemes is needed.

The strategy’s priorities include improving the understanding of flood risk across the district, reducing the impact of flooding, publicising flood risk, carrying out targeted maintenance and improving flood response and post-flood recovery.

The council’s strategy is primarily concerned with the local risk of flooding from sources other than main rivers or public sewers.

Mike Cowlam, the council’s strategic director for regeneration and culture, said: “These drop-in events give people the opportunity to provide feedback on the strategy.

“They can also find out what the council, the Environment Agency and Yorkshire Water are doing to reduce the impact of flooding in the future and find flood resilience information.

“We would urge anyone who has been affected by flooding to come along to one of the drop-in sessions and contribute to the consultation.”

There is also an online consultation, which is open until the May 16, and can be seen at the bradford.gov.uk/bmdc/consultations web page.Keighley district suffered high water hell on Boxing Day last year that left a number of homes and businesses under water.

lWhat do you think? We welcome letters on this or any other subject. E-mail richard.parker@nqyne.co.uk or write to the Content Editor, Keighley News, 80-86 North Street, Keighley BD21 3AG. Please include your full name, address and daytime telephone number.