January 8, 2009
Visit to Barnsley by Floods Recovery Minister John Healey MP
John visits the newly installed resilience store behind Darton Post Office and the River Dove at Stony Bridge Road, from which debris has been removed.
FLOODS Recovery Minister John Healey MP saw the community resilience work carried out by Barnsley Council, other responsible agencies and residents after the flooding of summer 2007 when he visited the borough.
The Minister inspected a newly-installed flood resilience store stocked with sandbags and equipment in the car park behind Darton Post Office, Church Street.
Residents Melvyn Lunn and Jill Auty, who have taken on the role of Flood Wardens, were on hand to discuss their work, together with local ward members Cllrs Linda Burgess and Sharon Howard.
Darton was hit three times by flooding and was the first community in Barnsley to be affected. Giving local residents access to vital tools and equipment when serious flooding is forecast, the resilience store at Darton is among four already established at key points in the borough; each has suffered serious flooding in the past.
Accompanied by Barnsley Council Leader Cllr Steve Houghton, Darfield ward councillor Trevor Smith and community representatives, the Minister viewed the River Dove at Stonyford Bridge Road, Low Valley, from which debris has been removed by Barnsley Council on behalf of the Environment Agency. This work improved the river flow in this area. The Low Valley community on the Dove was the largest affected by the flooding, with almost 200 homes and 6 businesses inundated.
Mr Healey said: "I wanted to return to Barnsley to see for myself more of the progress that has been made and the extra flood protection work the council is still carrying out.
"They have worked hand in hand with members of the community and there are now flood stores at key sites and, importantly, an active group of volunteer Flood Wardens. Together they will form the first line of defence if there is a risk of flooding in the future.
"Barnsley has pioneered this initiative and I was particularly pleased to meet members of the community who are getting involved and taking steps to protect themselves and their neighbours in partnership with the council and other agencies."
Mr Healey is Minister of State at the Department for Communities and Local Government. He is responsible for coordinating the Government's contribution to the recovery from the floods of summer 2007.