Flooding victims still homeless a year after the deluge
MANY OF those affected by the flooding in North Yorkshire 12 months ago have yet to return to their homes, such was the extent of the damage caused.
Among those still living out of suitcases is teacher Ian Dawson, who works at Richmond School, Richmond. His house is gutted.
He and his wife Caroline have moved home eight times while awaiting repairs and the insurance bill will be at least £160,000.
“It seems annoying that we are still in this state,” he said. “I can’t believe how long it has taken to get this far.
“I honestly don’t know why it is still like this a year on. There are lots of reasons. Coronavirus is one, but that’s a minor part of it.”
Swaledale and Arkengarthdale councillor Richard Good said that the likelihood of future flooding in the area was high but the community would be better prepared if were to happen.
He added: “The resilience of the community was utterly amazing. Within hours, the memorial hall was open producing food and offering clothes to people who had lost everything. The district council and ex-military volunteers Team Rubicon were incredible.”
He said the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority had done a “brilliant job”, with support from the county and district councils.
But despite a visit from Lord Gardiner a week after the floods, he said the Government has not given any extra funding.
He added: “We got money to pay for things in the month afterwards, but we have not had any money to put the bridges back, which is coming out of the general budget of the county, and the district council lost £100,000 in council tax after exempting those out of their homes, but that is coming to an end now and people are still not back in their homes.”
Further up the Dale in Langthwaite, many public footpaths are awaiting repairs, as are four of the five footbridges. Such a lack of access could, locals fear, put off tourists.