Views sought on council response to Bradford flooding

THREE months on from the flooding which affected more than 900 homes and businesses in the Bradford district on Boxing Day, a public consultation has been launched by Bradford Council.
Flooding at Cottingley when the River Aire burst banks aroung Bradford and Bingley Rugby Club.  Picture Bruce RollinsonFlooding at Cottingley when the River Aire burst banks aroung Bradford and Bingley Rugby Club.  Picture Bruce Rollinson
Flooding at Cottingley when the River Aire burst banks aroung Bradford and Bingley Rugby Club. Picture Bruce Rollinson

It is part of a three-month in-depth review into the flooding that will ultimately influence a longer-term review of water management in the district,

Over £1.3m has been given out by the council since the floods, with 745 households receiving £500 Flood Recovery Grants, There are still 64 households who have not been able to return to their properties.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Council tax relief and business rates discounts have been given to affected households and businesses since Boxing Day, and the council has also received almost 80 applications for grants of up to £5,000 for measures to help better prepare homes and businesses for future flooding.

The initial consultation will gather information on people’s experiences and their suggestions on how improvements can be made. It coincides with public meetings that will also inform the final report.

Chairman of the corporate scrutiny committee, which is running the consultation, Coun Alex Ross-Shaw said: “These responses will help inform our public meetings, so I would urge everyone affected by the floods to submit a response, even if they plan on attending one of our meetings.

“It’s vital we get this right. We want to ensure we respond efficiently to extreme incidents and people get the help they need.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Chairman of Bradford Council’s environment and waste scrutiny committee, Coun Martin Love, said: “The responses to this initial questionnaire will also feed into the longer-term review of water management being carried out by the environment and waste management scrutiny committee, which will look at ways in which the Council and partner agencies can work to mitigate the impact of future severe weather events on the district”.

The flooding on Boxing Day also affected 2,200 homes in Leeds, at least 100 businesses in Calderdale, and many homes and business in York and Tadcaster. Infrastructure was also affected, with Elland Bridge partially collapsed and Tadcaster entirely destroyed.