A SCHEME is underway to protect communities in the Yorkshire Dales threatened by flooding.

The Wensleydale Project Catchment Plan aims to make flooding downstream less likely by holding more water in the upper reaches for longer during times of heavy rainfall.

Mirroring the successful “slowing the flow” measures implemented in Ryedale to protect Pickering, the Wensleydale plan uses natural flood management techniques.

Tory MP Rishi Sunak gave the project his support after meeting representatives of the Yorkshire Dales Rivers Trust and the Yorkshire Dales National Park who are working with farmers on a range of measures along the banks of the River Ure and its tributary streams.

Those measures include planting along river and stream bank sides to stop erosion, building up banks to slow the run-off of water from fields and the build-up of silt and blocking ditches and constructing “leaky dams” to hold water back.

He also toured some of the measures taken at Matthew Bell’s dairy farm near Semerwater including the planting of willow on raised banks to stop erosion.

The willow and other bankside vegetation also provides a better environment for wildlife, particularly otters.

Mr Sunak said: “While natural flood defences may not always be the answer, there is increasing evidence that they can make a significant contribution.

“Last winter’s flooding reminded us that the speed with which water flows out of upland areas like Wensleydale can contribute to major problems further downstream in places like York and Boroughbridge. Something needs to be done to both improve water quality and to slow the flow.”