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07
May 2024
Knaresborough floods 'not related to condition of drains', says council
Last night's flooding in Knaresborough was due to the sheer deluge of rain rather than the state of drains, North Yorkshire Council said today.
About 30 homes were affected by flooding last night and some people had to be found emergency accommodation. This prompted questions about whether better maintained drains would have helped.
A statement this morning issued by the council on behalf of agencies involved in last night's emergency response said 32 millimetres of rain fell in an hour, which is the equivalent of about an inch-and-a-quarter.
It said:
Speaking on behalf of the agencies involved, North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service station manager Dave Dixon said as part of the statement:
It added:
High Bridge drains concern
Cllr Matt Walker, a Liberal Democrat who represents Knaresborough West on North Yorkshire Council and is also a town councillor, has been part of the emergency response.
Cllr Walker told the Stray Ferret 25 homes on Orchard Close and six properties in the St Margaret's area were flooded.
He said most residents chose to stay at home or stay with relatives or friends but a family of three were found accommodation at the Knaresborough Inn and one older male was found council accommodation.
Cllr Walker said the town council was undertaking welfare checks on Orchard Close today and was finding out what other support was available.
He added he thought the state of drains was a contributory factor, particularly at High Bridge, which was among the worst affected areas by flooding.
He said:
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