Cornwall Council promises extra cash for road repairs (From This is The West Country)

Cornwall Council promises extra cash for flood repairs

12:00pm Tuesday 22nd January 2013 in Cornwall

Cornwall Council will put an extra £3.5m into repairing the county’s roads and environment network which were damaged in the recent floods, and to support flood defence schemes.

The Council’s Cabinet approved £2.5m of emergency funding after initial assessments of landslips and infrastructure damage from the November and December floods revealed the costs of repairs will reach in excess of £8.5m.

A further £1m has been set aside to support future flood defence schemes in areas which have suffered repeat flooding.

Currently there are restrictions in place on several sections of roads, as well as on public rights of way and the coastal footpath across Cornwall, while engineers develop plans for repairing the damage.

Areas which suffered particular damage include the B3247 Seaton to Hessenford; the A387 at St Martin’s Hill in Looe and a coastal defence in Penzance.

While Cornwall Council has applied for financial assistance through the Government’s Bellwin Scheme to recoup some of the costs, it says the threshold at which claims can be made means the council is unlikely to receive funding.

Bert Biscoe, the Council’s portfolio holder for transportation, highways and environment, who has met with Defra minister Richard Beynon MP to ensure that the Government is "fully aware of the seriousness of the situation", said: “This money will be a great help in immediately addressing the worst effects of the recent bad weather.

“The ongoing maintenance challenges, such as potholes, remain a significant pressure on the reduced highways maintenance budget.

“No money in the world can compensate for the willing commitment of all those who have worked to keep Cornwall safe and moving over the last few weeks. On behalf of all those who felt the effects of the flooding, we are thankful.”