PICKERING'S civic leaders are ready to do their bit the next time the town floods.
The town council has produced a plan it will roll out during an emergency.
Members gathered information on people living in flood risk parts of the town who are vulnerable so they can be helped by the emergency services first. Advice leaflets an
d Environment Agency information packs will be delivered to 55 properties most at risk of flooding and those that border them. And if the beck does start to rise two “duty councillors” will be on stand-by to man the council’s office in the memorial hall and give assistance where needed.
Cllr Brian Baker, who helped draft the plan, said: “We will be there to liaise with emergency services and use our local knowledge but more importantly, provide a point of contact for the public.”
The council had its plan ready last November but distribution was delayed.
The council has also urged townsfolk to sign up to the Environment Agency’s flood warning system which provides free warnings direct to a phone, mobile or computer. Call 0845 9181188 to register.
And anyone with special needs – for example in a wheelchair, on a dialysis machine or with a sight or hearing impairment – should notify the town council so a list can be kept. The council says women who are pregnant or who have very young children should also ask to be placed on the list because a flood could happen at any time and they may need assistance.
The council can be contacted on (01751) 476503.
The full article contains 271 words and appears in Malton & Pickering Mercury newspaper.
