Thankyou for the link to the article about the floods, Jon. There are many points to consider but the part about new homes being built on flood plains brought to mind the memory of viewing plans in Lincolnshire of a new housing estate. The houses were lovely and so tempting, but the fact that they were being built on a flood plain was worrying. Even with reassurances from the agent on the site, living in a brand new, dream-home property built on a flood plain was something to consider seriously and so no sale was made.
Also, when it rains heavily, pavioured gardens have replaced the gardens which were once earth and lawns and so water has to find its way to drains in the roads. Once, years ago, we used to see the council vehicles out regularly clearing the drains
with a special suction pipe thing but those are not seen now.
I made my own small contribution in early October by trying to clear a drain by prodding a stick into it. So far, I see rainwater disappearing into it, rather then a potential flood in that area.
The prevention of floods in York will take more than a stick in the drains to clear them unfortunately and so my thoughts go to all the people affected and what they must be going through. It must be terrible for them.