British Department for Transport: Activation of Bellwin Scheme and Cash Boost for Whaley Bridge

LONDON, England, Aug. 9 -- The British Department for Transport issued the following news:

Local communities and businesses impacted by last week's heavy rain and flooding will have access to pound sterling5.25m to support their recovery, following confirmation from the Government today (Saturday 10 August).

Businesses affected by the Whaley Bridge evacuation will receive up to pound sterling100,000 in emergency funding to cover uninsurable costs. This follows a commitment from the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy to match regional support of pound sterling100,000 delivered through the local Business Recovery Fund.

Business Secretary Andrea Leadsom said:

The recent bad weather has had an enormously disruptive impact on the Whaley Bridge economy.

We're providing pound sterling100,000 of emergency funding to affected businesses to help them get back up and running as quickly as possible. We're also working with the local authority and partners to ensure practical support on the ground.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has activated the government's emergency Bellwin scheme to reimburse local authorities for the immediate costs they have paid out in support of the emergency in Derbyshire and flooding in Lincolnshire and North Yorkshire.

Under the scheme, local authorities dealing with the Whaley Bridge emergency and for flooding in Wainfleet and Richmondshire can apply to have 100% of the money they have spent, above a threshold, reimbursed by the government. This could be for items including rest centres, temporary accommodation and staff overtime.

A further package of support, including pound sterling150,000 of funding will also go to High Peak Borough Council, which includes the town of Whaley Bridge, to support their initiatives to help the recovery of the local economy.

Local Government Secretary Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP said:

I am grateful for the work the local authorities in Derbyshire, Lincolnshire and North Yorkshire have done, and continue to do, to respond to the flooding and disruption, and I want to praise local residents for the resilience they have shown during this worrying time.

The Government is committed to helping the places affected by these recent events to get back on their feet. We have therefore activated the Bellwin scheme which will provide significant financial support to the affected areas, and we are also providing an initial pound sterling150,000 immediately to support Whaley Bridge's recovery.

Alongside damage to the Toddbrook Dam in Whaley Bridge, parts of North Yorkshire and Lincolnshire experienced unprecedented rainfall this summer, causing flash flooding and damage to homes, businesses and agricultural land.

Farms in in Wainfleet and North Yorkshire were particularly hard-hit, and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is making up to pound sterling2 million available for farming businesses affected.

Environment Secretary Theresa Villiers said:

The recent spells of heavy rain and bad weather have had devastating effects on farms, communities and businesses, and it is vital that we help local people to get back on their feet.

We are working closely with key agencies in affected areas - including Whaley Bridge - to find the best ways to support them, and make sure businesses can recover as quickly as possible.

Finally, two damaged bridges in Yorkshire will be replaced thanks to a pound sterling3 million investment from the Department for Transport.

The one-off, exceptional funding will help North Yorkshire County Council repair the bridges on Grinton Moor and near Cogden Beck as quickly as possible, and reconnect two sides of Grinton Moor - saving up to 60 minutes of driving time.

Roads Minister Baroness Vere said:

Yorkshire has seen some of the worst of the recent spell of bad weather and drivers have faced significant and frustrating diversions following damage to local infrastructure.

This investment will allow North Yorkshire to get started on the repairs as quickly as possible, so that communities can return to normal.