A LOCAL MP has criticised the Government for not doing enough to prevent any further flooding disasters in the region.

Anne McIntosh, the Vale of York MP, has spoken out close to the second anniversary of the floods that badly affected Yorkshire in 2007.

Parts of Miss McIntosh’s ward were affected by the flooding in 2007 including the areas around Thirsk and Malton.

Miss McIntosh said: "Although we welcome the recently published Draft Floods and Water Bill we are fast approaching the second anniversary of the 2007 floods and there are still major concerns.

"I have severe reservations over this country’s preparedness for and protection from a future flood; highlighting the Government’s clear dithering and delay on the issue.

"Over the last two years we have seen a complete lack of action and no sense of urgency from the Government.

"The Yorkshire and Humber region is one of the most at risk areas of flooding in the UK.

"During the last two years I have visited many of those areas in the North East that were severely affected by the 2007 floods and subsequent floods.

I have continued to visit these areas to see the progress on their recovery from the floods and the importance of the flood defences required to protect the properties.

"Some of these areas have had confirmation from the Environment Agency on plans to reduce their flood risk with some of the work even being started.

"However there are still many issues that need to be addressed to ensure that a flood on the same scale as we saw in 2007 would not cause the same destruction and devastation."