The first of three exhibitions on proposals to tackle flooding to Leeds from the River Aire has been hailed a success by Environment Agency staff.The first exhibition was held at Leeds Town Hall last week - over 150 people visited to look at the proposals for what could be one of the largest and most complex flood alleviation schemes in the country.

Visitors ranged from individual residents worried about their homes and asking whether they would be able to get access during a flood, to business people wondering how a flood would affect their business and their employees.

There was general support for the idea that Leeds should have some form of flood protection and, once the exhibition staff explained to people what the flood defences could look like and how they could be landscaped and blended into their surroundings so as to be unrecognisable, most of the visitors accepted that defences are necessary and how they would fit into the waterfront.

There was also an interest in environmental enhancements for the scheme, such as riverside footpaths, cycleways, and green spaces. There was a level of concern among visitors about actions that contribute to flooding, such as runoff from paved front gardens. Some visitors expressed concern about past development in flood risk areas.

Martin Slater of the Environment Agency said: “We’re still at a very early stage for the scheme and there is no guarantee of funding, but Leeds City Council is working closely with us to look at outline plans for a 12 mile stretch of the Aire, from Newlay Bridge at Horsforth down to Woodlesford.

“We’ve had a lot of interest from a wide variety of visitors, and we’re looking forward to our next two exhibitions, at Swillington and Kirkstall.”For more information visit www.environment-agency.gov.uk