YORK residents have their first chance today to shape multi-million-pound plans aimed at reducing the risk and effect of flooding.

A consultation on City of York Council's long-awaited Flood Risk Management Strategy opens today, running for six weeks until December 17.

The strategy is intended to improve understanding of the various causes of flooding in York and to reduce its likelihood and impact.

Proposals in the plan, first revealed by The Press in September, include spending an estimated £2 million improving the Foss Barrier and pumping station, which protects thousands of properties alongside the Foss; £3.5 million on assessing and replacing the Burdyke and Holgate pumping station; £1.5 million restoring the Clifton Ings barrier bank; and £5 million on various measures to reduce the impact of flooding in unprotected areas such as Bishopthorpe, Acaster Malbis, Fulford, Clementhorpe, Naburn, Kings Staith and Tower Street and Nether Poppleton.

The strategy calls for close working between the council and the Environment Agency, and with residents and businesses to deliver "collectively funded protection measures", and says planning decisions must address all aspects of flood risk.

Almost £500,000 a year is also needed for a maintenance programme for defences, the strategy says.

Dave Merrett, council cabinet member for environmental services, planning and sustainability, said: “This strategy is an important next step in planning how we can address flood risk in York. It highlights the challenge the council and its partners, the Environment Agency, Yorkshire Water and the local Internal Drainage Boards face, but also the need for significantly more investment at a national level to help tackle this issue.”

The strategy was originally demanded in December 2012, when a damning report said generations of neglect and underinvestment had left York's drains unable to cope with even minor floods, but it was delayed four times before finally being completed in August.

The development of the strategy follows the severe England-wide floods of 2007, which affected more than 55,000 homes and businesses.

The Flood and Water Management Act 2010 compelled councils to produce various documents, including the flood risk management strategy. The final version is due to be published next year and will be reviewed and updated as necessary thereafter.

To have your say on the strategy, visit york.gov.uk/consultations or email FRM@york.gov.uk

Paper copies of the forms are available from all York libraries and Explore Centres and the council's West Offices headquarters.

To read the full strategy and accompanying an information online, visit york.gov.uk/floodriskstrategy