Dredging plans to beat floods
Despite calls from landowners and farmers to dredge the waterways, the agency has always refused, claiming rivers and drains would soon silt up again.
But now it has conceded it needs to tap into local knowledge to find ways to protect against flooding.
The surprise decision followed a meeting between the agency's chairman Lord Chris Smith, chief executive Paul Leinster, Beverley and Holderness Conservative MP Graham Stuart, and East Riding Councillors Jonathan Owen and Jane Evison.
Cllr Owen said: "We don't know where this scheme will take place but they realise that local knowledge is vital in maintaining drainage systems.
"The agency wants to discuss the scheme with the council.
"Personally, I would like the scheme to take place in the River Hull."
The agency's area manager Craig McGarvey admits there is a need to work more closely with the council and local landowners.
He said: "It's very obvious everyone wants to work together.
"We want to make use of local knowledge.
"The issue of dredging came up and we have agreed to carry out a pilot scheme.
"We will take a stretch of river in East Yorkshire, dredge it, cut back the vegetation and see what happens.
"We have made a commitment do more analysis of the land drainage system and look more carefully at maintenance."
Those in favour of dredging argue it increases the capacity of waterways, allowing more water to be diverted from land and into the sea.
The news has delighted Deborah Merchant, of the River Hull Flood Action Group.
She said: "I think it's great news the agency is realising the need to speak to people in order to understand the complex drainage system in the area.
"Dredging could help enormously to reduce the risk of flooding. We need to work together and maintain the drains as we did in the past."
No decision has been taken yet on where or when the pilot scheme will take place and the costs of the project are not currently clear.
