I READ the report about the £700,000 culvert to take water more quickly out of Riccall Ings when flooded (April 11).

The Environment Agency states that this wash land is designed to store flood water although I always assumed it was a natural feature of Riccall Beck which flooded naturally when the river levels were high.

This has been happening for at least 50 years to my knowledge.

If this wash land is so important can somebody please explain why part of it (between the A19 Riccall by-pass and the old York Road) has been built up to a height of about six feet ?

J Rogers,

Northfield

Barlby, Selby.

Updated: 10:14 Tuesday, April 22, 2003