Permanent pumping stations need to be built at strategic points in the East Riding to help prevent a repeat of last year’s floods, a review has recommended. In its report, East Riding Council’s flood review panel told the authority that precious time was lost waiting for pumps to be brought from other parts of the country to empty flood water from agricultural drains into the River Humber. Water which would normally have drained into the tidal Humber had to be pumped over sluice gates when the tide was backing up. Without pumps, the water flooded surrounding land, affecting whole communities. The review panel said if there had been permanent pumps at strategic positions, the area could have escaped much of the devastation it experienced.