THE chronic underfunding of the flood defences is no shock to those of us who have followed this sorry saga closely ('Flood defence works bill may total £11m', October 11).

Mr Blair and Mr Prescott promised much when they came with the TV cameras last autumn.

But they failed to follow up their words with action.

The Labour Government refused to pay what the Environment Agency was asking, and the Labour-dominated regional flood defence committee refused to make up the difference.

This shortfall has been known about for nine months and yet nothing has been done.

I urge the Government to think again and provide proper funding.

Michael Mitchell,

Thorpe Lane,

Cawood.

Updated: 10:28 Wednesday, October 17, 2001