Call for sandbag stores after floods

Parish councils across a Yorkshire district are being urged to help create a bank of sandbag stores across the district following the worst autumn floods to hit the nation in 30 years.
By The Newsroom
Published 18th Dec 2012, 06:00 BST

Officers from Hambleton District Council issued almost 4,000 sandbags during the deluge in September – but the flood waters left some areas inaccessible.

The authority is now aiming to ensure parishes are more prepared for future floods and wants to create stores of sandbags in key locations. It will provide the bags free of charge if there is a suitable area to keep them dry.

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The parish of Kirby Wiske is the only parish in Hambleton that currently has a sandbag store, which was set up after the village suffered from flooding in 2000.

The council’s operations manager, Paul Staines, said: “Having a store doesn’t cost anything.

“The sandbags come on pallets and with a waterproof cover. All the parish has to do is find a space to put them.”

Sandbags can be kept for re-use if stored off the ground, and covered with sunlight and water resistant material.

Parishes wanting to create a store should contact Mr Staines on 01609 788103.

Related topics:Yorkshire