23/06/2005 - Environment
Agency officers will be starting the mammoth
task of clearing tonnes of flood debris away
from Hawnby bridge on Friday, June 24.
The team has brought in tractors and winches
to help them clear away more than 100 trees
near the bridge which was washed away in Sunday’s
storm.
A team of 12 Environment Agency officers
are working with Ryedale District Council
on tomorrow’s clean-up.
Environment Agency operations team leader
Steve Wragg said: "The debris needs to
cleaned up before work can start rebuilding
the bridge. Removing these trees will be an
important step in helping Hawnby residents
get back on their feet again.
"The trees are also causing an obstruction
in the water and they need to be removed because
they pose a flood risk."
The Environment Agency has also organised
two flood surgeries for residents affected
by the flooding.
The surgeries, in Thirsk and Helmsley next
week, is an opportunity for residents to find
out more about how and why the flooding happened.
Officers will also be asking people for information
and photographs about the flooding in their
streets so they can build up a better picture
of how it affected specific areas.
Further rain is forecast for Friday and Saturday
in the region and the Environment Agency is
on the alert.
The flood team is working closely with the
Met Office but it is too early to say which
specific areas are likely to be affected.
Storms strike in specific locations and it
is difficult to predict where these will be.
Residents are warned that rivers and streams
can rise extremely quickly and not to take
any risks with fast-flowing water.
The flood surgeries will be held at:
Helmsley Town Hall, Market Place, Helmsley
on Monday, June 27 from 3pm to 9pm.
Thirsk Town Hall, Westgate, Thirsk on Wednesday,
June 29 from 3pm to 9pm.
People who were affected by Sunday’s storms
and are unable to attend either of the surgeries
are urged to contact the Environment Agency
with information about the flooding in their
area. A questionnaire has been prepared and
residents should ring 01904 822537 to request
a copy and a pre-paid envelope. All photographs
will be returned.
