County receives £10 million flood money

3:39pm Tuesday 11th March 2008

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GLOUCESTERSHIRE has this week been awarded £10 million more flood money by the Government to repair damage to the road network.

Transport Minister Rosie Winterton confirmed today that £10 million will be available to help communities in Gloucestershire affected by last summer's flooding.

This is part of more than £23 million being provided to eight local authorities to repair roads and bridges damaged by the floods.

It is an interim allocation to help councils meet their immediate needs and is part of a £85 million package of support to flood-hit communities nationwide.

Today's announcement followed an assessment of claims submitted by authorities and brings total support for Gloucestershire to date to £12.1 million.

Rosie Winterton said: "Last year's floods damaged many local roads, and I know how important it is for communities to get those roads repaired.

"This funding gives councils an immediate boost to begin repair work, as well as help them to continue assessing their roads for further damage that requires repair.

"We have been working closely with those councils affected since the summer to help them identify what repairs are needed.

"We are committed to continuing this work as well as providing them with support necessary to carry out repairs."

If further claims are submitted for flood repair funding by councils they will be assessed against the necessary criteria.

Floods Recovery Minister John Healey said: "Last summer saw the worst floods for over one hundred years causing widespread damage and misery for thousands of people.

"Today's announcement brings the total we have made available to £85m, with Gloucestershire receiving £12.1 million, and underlines the Government's continuing commitment to those areas hit by the flooding."

Authorities to receive flood money today are as follows: Gloucestershire County Council (£10.048 million); Sheffield City Council (£9.033 million); North Lincolnshire Council (£1.497million); East Riding of Yorkshire Council (£1.087 million); Barnsley Met Borough Council (£874,000); West Berkshire Council (£580,000); Shropshire County Council (£152,000); and Rotherham Met Borough Council (£102,000).