Devon County Council

devon.gov.uk

From Adrian Lane, Exeter 383262, November 04, 2008

THE clean up and repair bill from the aftermath of the severe storms which hit parts of East Devon last week could exceed one million pounds.

Devon County Council is continuing to clear the main debris but its current assessment of the costs of the damage was given to the County Council's Executive this afternoon. (Tuesday 4 November)

More than 120 highway staff were deployed to re-open roads in areas devastated by the flooding and hailstorms, in particular in Ottery St Mary and Feniton. The worst of the clear up is expected to be completed by Friday (7 November), but the minor road network will take longer.

Devon County Council Leader Brian Greenslade praised the co-ordinated efforts between the County Council and other agencies. He said:

"We played a significant part in the clean up operation and in other areas. Thanks have to go to everyone involved in the aftermath of this unfortunate event and we need to look at what if anything needs to be learned. The County Council will do whatever has to be done to reinstate the roads to normality but the final bill is still to be determined."

Councillor Roger Giles, Devon County Councillor for Ottery St Mary Rural, said:

"Ottery St Mary and Feniton bore the brunt of the storm and the damage after this event, which was unprecedented in modern times. But there were also many other communities such as Alfington and Tipton St.John that were also hit very hard and suffered considerable damage. The cost is likely to be immense.

"I would like to pay tribute to the many staff from Devon County Council and East Devon District Council and there was a huge amount of help from the community and volunteers."

Inspections of the roads and bridges in the area are on-going, but to date no bridges are thought to have been severely damaged

The drainage system for the main residential areas of Feniton and Ottery St Mary has been cleared. The remainder of the network has to be cleared of debris before the damage and any blockages of the drainage system can be assessed and dealt with, but it could take several months.

As well as highway management, the County Council was also involved in establishing an emergency rest centre at the Kings School in Ottery St Mary, which helped around 45 people. Devon County Council staff were joined by British Red Cross and WRVS in providing shelter and food at the centre. Meals on wheels continued to be delivered to people's homes and calls were made to vulnerable people in the community.

The County Council Executive agreed to a recommendation to meet with other agencies to discuss what lessons could be learned from the incident.

• Leader of the Council - Cllr Brian Greenslade
• Chief Executive -- Phil Norrey

• Budget £800 million
• Key investments include:
• Schools £349 million
• Adult and Community Services £164 million
• Environment, Economy and Culture £106 million
• Children and Young People £101 million

• Other important County Council support includes:
• Building programme: £185 million for new schools, roads, care services, libraries and recycling centres

• Political make-up:
• County Council seats: 62
• 33 Liberal Democrat
• 23 Conservative
• 4 Labour
• 2 Independent
• Next County Council elections: May 7, 2009

• Key stats:
• Population: 741,000
• Schools: 365
• Pupils: 96,200
• Children looked after: 584
• Adults helped to live at home: 17,622
• Residential and nursing care: 4,212 adults
• Libraries and Mobile Libraries: 61
• Roads: 12,831 kms (7,973 miles)
• Bridges: 3,500
• Public Rights of Way: 4,960 kms (3,200 miles)
• Streetlights: 71,000
• Illuminated road signs: 10,917
• Recycling Centres: 20
• Recycling rate: 49.21%

Figures may be subject to change

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