PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Storms: Disaster Relief (6 December 2021)

Local authorities concerned about the emergency costs of Storm Arwen or Storm Barra should contact the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities to discuss.

The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy was responsible for power being restored, which has now been done.

Following Storm Arwen, the Environment Agency (EA) inspected its assets and found significant damage to an access ramp for the Low Ford Tree Catcher in Morpeth, Northumberland. The asset is one of several that reduce the risk of flooding to almost 1000 homes in Morpeth, Northumberland. The damage was so severe that the EA could no longer safely use the ramp and has temporarily suspended routine works on the site. Temporary repairs (using sheet piling and back filling with inert material) and a rescue of native white clawed crayfish, known to be present in the river and of significant conservation importance, are now being arranged for week commencing 13 December 2021. The EA will plan a long-term permanent repair scheme for the next financial year.

As well as damage to flood assets, numerous fallen trees are also causing issues across the North East. The EA is currently assessing the impacts of these fallen trees to local flood risk, flood assets and telemetry sites. Many of these trees are significant in size and it is estimated that the average cost of safe removal is around £2000 per site.

We are also aware of potentially significant impacts to Forestry Commission and private forestry sites. We will continue to monitor the situation and engage with effected land managers.