Appeal for volunteers to give early warnings of flooding

Calderdale Council is appealing for more volunteer flood wardens in the Mytholmroyd area to boost the town’s early warning system of rising water levels.

New wardens have been recruited in Todmorden and Hebden Bridge to help create new flood groups but only two people have signed up in Mytholmroyd.

Around 30 people in total volunteered to become wardens or to join flood groups at recent information sessions held in the wake of the summer floods in the Calder Valley.

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Calderdale Council’s cabinet member for economy and environment, Coun Barry Collins, said: “The council was keen to hear from local people who were affected by the recent floods, and I would like to thank those who attended the three public drop-in sessions or who have provided their comments through the survey on the council’s web site.

“It is very encouraging that so many positive opinions were expressed. They demonstrate the determination of so many people to put what happened behind them, to improve the resilience of their homes and businesses and to look forward.

“We have been given some very interesting feedback which we are sharing with our partners so together we can formulate joint plans to address the issues which we face.

“The council is committed to continue this dialogue and we will be holding similar events in the spring.”

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More than 250 people visited the flood information sessions in Todmorden, Hebden Bridge and Mytholmroyd which were also attended by representatives of the council, the Environment Agency, Yorkshire Water, the Community Foundation for Calderdale, Voluntary Action Calderdale and the National Flood Forum, a charity which gives advice on how homes and businesses can make their properties more resilient.

Paul Cobbing, chief executive of the charity, said: “This is the first step in the ongoing support that will be needed over the coming months to help people to get back on their feet and take control of their lives and we look forward to working with communities to achieve this.”

The Environment Agency said the sessions were extremely useful, giving its staff an opportunity to discuss, face-to-face, questions and issues with local people.