RESIDENTS and businesses in flood-threatened areas of the district need a coherent and understandable plan of action in case a disaster strikes again, a meeting heard.

A handful of Boxing Day flood victims from affected areas such as Bingley and Baildon spoke about their experiences and what they felt could be improved to help people be more prepared in the future.

Councillors on Bradford Council’s Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee listened to various suggestions - including producing a leaflet featuring pivotal information and vital contact numbers.

The meeting was held to discuss a report into how prepared Bradford is for serious flooding and the response to last December’s floods, how the Council can work with other agencies to improve practice, and how to support communities.

The general consensus was that the report needed several recommendations adding to it. Among suggestions from residents and councillors were: improved communication with residents in affected areas; a dedicated flood phone number; dedicated support for vulnerable people; and a list of utility companies and their responsibilities.

One resident raised the possibility of diverting flood waters into Bingley’s Myrtle Park, an idea he got from a similar initiative used in Sheffield.

He said: “It sounds ideal to me. We could flood Myrtle Park. No-one would be affected, apart from Myrtle Park, but an awful lot of residents would be spared flooding.”

Another resident, of Baildon, said: “We could do with a number that is a dedicated number, like 999.

“When your house is flooding, or desperately near to flooding, you don’t want to ring a number and go through options one, two and three.

“It would be a comfort to know when you ring that there would be a team there to help them.”

Residents also suggested a support package that is there for people from when the flood happens to when they can move back home, helping deal with things such as insurance companies.

One man, of Bingley, said he was still unable to move back into his flood-hit property, and added: “It would be helpful if the Council had somebody who had a role of liaison, advice and support.”

The meeting also heard about the importance of cleaning drains and culverts properly; putting flood barriers in place and raising floor levels; and creating personal emergency plans.

Councillor David Green (Lab, Wibsey) said residents needed a package that gave them a list of what to do should they be warned of a flood, and also what to do in the event of a flood.

The matter will go before full Council on October 18.