Council disappointed at lack of flood support

Chippenham was submerged when the River Avon burst its banks late last month

A council has expressed its "disappointment" at the lack of government support for those affected by flooding, despite a recent visit from the Minister for Water and Flooding.

Following Storm Bert, Wiltshire Council had anticipated funding would be made available, as it had in the past.

The town is still recovering from the storm, which caused widespread flooding to both businesses and residential properties around the county.

However, the government has now confirmed that there will be no grant funding available to residents or businesses following the Storm Bert floods, but it is working to understand the impact it has had on communities.

Businesses and residents are still recovering from the damage caused by the storm

Councillor Richard Clewer, leader of Wiltshire Council, said: "It is extremely disappointing that the government has decided not to provide financial support to our residents and businesses, who were hit hard by Storm Bert.

"This is particularly frustrating as we know just how much any funding would have helped affected residents and businesses get back on their feet."

The council said funding had been made available from the government in previous years under similar circumstances.

"However, despite the worst flooding in Chippenham and Melksham since the 1960s, as well as the Avon bursting its banks in Bradford on Avon, we will receive nothing this time around," continued Mr Clewer.

"We even had the Minister for Water and Flooding visit Wiltshire following Storm Bert, which illustrates how serious the situation was here."

The government's Flood Recovery Framework can provide grants to households and businesses that are impacted by flooding.

However, the support was not triggered after Storm Bert.

Local resident Amelia Hanratty's back garden was badly affected during the flooding

Mr Clewer said the decision was "difficult to understand", as the council has received money to give to affected businesses and residents following every major flooding incident since 2013.

He continued: "We will continue to do all we can to lobby the government and to try to secure the funding that our communities need."

During Storm Bert, the council had more than 220 reports of flooding throughout the county; this included flooding on roads and flooding to properties.

A spokesperson from the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government said: "Flooding is devastating for those affected and we hope that people can get back on with their lives as soon as possible.

"We know that local authorities are working hard to provide support, and we are working with them to understand the impacts on communities, households and businesses."