Local authorities affected by recent flooding and severe weather have been promised £6.7M from Government to help with repairs to infrastructure including transport.

Local Government Minister Brandon Lewis made the pledge on Friday following calls from those affected by the extreme conditions for additional financial assistance.

The new money is on top of help promised just after Christmas through the Bellwin emergency assistance scheme, where councils can apply for financial aid. “This extra money will provide local authorities and their partner agencies with additional resources they need to support recovery,” Mr Lewis said.

Promise of extra funds to help councils was welcomed by the Local Government Association and described by the group’s environment chairman as a “promising first step”. But Mike Jones added: “Given the high costs of the floods already identified, councils will need further help to fully repair the damage caused by this extreme weather.

“The severe weather has left behind a daunting trail of destruction for councils to clear up and fix,” he added. “The damage to our roads by this recent flooding will be considerable and costly.”

Highways Term Maintenance Association executive director Geoff Allister said: "We welcome this funding to help hard pressed communities. Our members are ready and prepared to do the necessary work as efficiently as possible to rectify any damage on the road network. We would encourage local authorities to submit their bids for the funds sooner rather than later."

A spokesman for ADEPT, the Association of Directors of Environment, Economy, Planning & Transport, welcomed the additional funds to help minimise the impact of the recent floods.

But the spokesman added: "At this early stage it is not known how much of the funding gap £7M will cover as the full financial implication of the flood is unknown."

(Photo: Keith Lloyd)

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