Priest in York: need for more flood defences

(Vatican Radio) Father Richard Duffield is a parish priest in the city of York which has been one of the worst affected by severe flooding that inundated many areas of northern England. He described the impact of the floods on York and said many people in the historic city feel the government should not have made spending cuts in recent years on flood prevention projects. Father Duffield was interviewed by Susy Hodges.

 

Listen to the interview with Father Duffield, parish priest of St. Wilfred’s Church in the city of York:  

 

Hundreds of people had to be evacuated from their homes as the flood waters rose in York and adjoining areas. Father Duffield described how the local community was "pulling together" to help those affected by the flooding. He said the disaster has not only disrupted transport, communications and normal life in York but has been "very distressing" for many residents and a source of great anxiety

Asked whether people in York felt that more money could have been spent on flood defences to help prevent such a disaster occurring, Father Duffield said this was a widely held belief, especially because of recent cuts in government spending on flood prevention strategies.