North counts cost of storm clean-up

13 Jan 05
Serious storms that battered Scotland, Northern Ireland and the north of England, leaving thousands of people without power, prompted an emergency statement from ministers this week.

14 January 2005

Serious storms that battered Scotland, Northern Ireland and the north of England, leaving thousands of people without power, prompted an emergency statement from ministers this week.

In Scotland, 76,000 people were left without electricity after winds of up to 124mph felled trees and blew down power lines on January 11-12.

Transport routes across the country were disrupted, with rail services suspended, ferry services abandoned and roads blocked.

Severe flooding in Carlisle, the worst the city has seen for 200 years, left three people dead and wrecked 3,000 homes. The main council offices were also affected and staff relocated.

Telephone helplines were set up for residents to organise free collection of furniture and debris. Council leaders met on January 12 to review the salvage operation and to discuss applying for cash from the government's emergency Bellwin Fund.

Addressing MPs on January 11, environment minister Elliot Morley said proposals were being developed for a new flood defence scheme for Carlisle.

'However, I emphasise that we cannot provide absolute protection in all areas against the conceivable flooding events,' he said. 'There is always the risk that truly exceptional storms and rainfall, such as occurred at the weekend, will strike somewhere.'

The Environment Agency also brought out an expert study into last summer's flooding of the Cornish village of Boscastle.

Hydrologists commissioned by the agency concluded that the chance of a similarly severe flood recurring was very low and rebuilding could go ahead.

'Every case will be considered on its merits but, given the findings, we can now advise the planning authority that, in most cases, the replacement of damaged buildings should not be prevented on flood risk grounds,' said Richard Horrocks, the Environment Agency's southwest flood defence manager.

PFjan2005

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