[Steve in Pudsey]

But how many people do you keep on the payroll in case a city floods?

Exactly. With technology I’m sure they could develop the means so that local programmes could be presented remotely and go live at short notice in the event of a major breaking news story in one particular areas patch. I think the bigger issue is they probably wouldn’t have the desire to do so.

Indeed that's what they did when York last flooded and it took out the BT exchange, they were able to get on air from Hull instead, but with a team of reporters on the ground.

The official report into that incident talks about Radio York's role in keeping people informed, particularly with phone lines and broadband down for many www.york.gov.uk -

I know these are only occasional events, but this kind of thing is public service broadcasting at its most fundamental, I just suggest that those who advocate cuts on this scale leave themselves open to being accused of knowing the cost of everything and the value of nothing.