OTLEY'S MP is calling on the Government to flesh-out plans for a £2 million flood defence scheme for the town.

The cash was announced in Chancellor Phillip Hammond's Autumn Statement last November - and hailed as a welcome surprise by residents and local politicians alike.

Details of how exactly it will be spent, however, have been scant so far although 2020 has been confirmed as the target 'completion date'.

Otley was one of the worst affected local communities in the 2015 winter floods, especially on Boxing Day when dozens of homes had to be evacuated.

MP Greg Mulholland (Lib Dem, Leeds North West) says that means it is imperative for flood defence work to be properly targeted and to start as soon as possible.

He recently wrote to Floods Minister Therese Coffey for more information, but her reply merely confirms that the £2 million will be "invested in a scheme to better protect homes in Otley".

Mr Mulholland said: "The commitment to spend £2 million on measures to better protect Otley from flooding is very positive, however I am disappointed we are still not being given any detail of how this will be planned and spent.

"I am also very concerned we are now being told that this important work isn't scheduled to be completed until 2020, that is far too long and means three whole winters before this protection is in, following the remainder of this one.

"I will be writing to the Minister to both seek some detail of the plan and, most importantly, urge the Government and Environment Agency to ensure it is completed much more quickly to ensure Otley and neighbouring communities are much better protected from future floods."

Leeds City Councillors, meanwhile, heard this week that there is a 'critical' need for further, significant investment in flood alleviation schemes to prevent a repeat of the devastation caused by Storm Eva.

That is the conclusion of a report - the result of more than a year's work by the council with input from the Environment Agency and others - into the causes and impact of the flooding.

Its recommendations include the need for comprehensive flood protection measures for the whole River Aire catchment area, as well as the catchment areas of the River Wharfe and the River Calder.

It adds that an assessment is "being carried out for the River Wharfe for possible measures to be introduced in and around Otley."

The council's Executive Board was due to consider the report, and be asked to agree to a copy of it being sent to the Secretary of State for the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when it met on Wednesday, February 8.