Leicestershire communities receive flood prevention equipment from diverted funding
Residents across Leicestershire are being supported in the battle to prevent flooding this winter with money diverted from activities to reduce carbon emissions.
The Reform UK-led county council decided last year to repurpose £2M which had been earmarked by the previous Conservative-run authority towards achieving a net-zero target by 2050.
Communities are already taking action to become more resilient, through a £400k community grant scheme of equipment being given to local areas.
Innovative FloodSax sandbag alternatives – which can be stored easier and inflate and stack like sandbags – have been bought with the money, alongside temporary flood barriers which are put out to prevent flood water reaching local areas.
This equipment has been given out to parish councils to distribute to their communities after last winter was the wettest on record.
At-risk areas, including Bottesford, East Goscote and Newtown Linford have already received products from the grants scheme.
A portion of the cash was also put towards bolstering the county’s annual drain-cleaning programme, by cleaning lower-priority drains more frequently and maintaining culverts across the county.
Drop-in events have additionally been held across Leicestershire in areas that have experienced flooding, with more events set to be scheduled.
Councillor Adam Tilbury, cabinet member for flooding, said: “We have spent the year working hard to give communities the equipment that can help to reduce flood risk.
“It's not a case of if, but when, flooding will happen in some areas of the county.
"Being prepared and thinking about it earlier can really help you recover and get back to normal more quickly.
“There’s always more to do and we’re committed to helping, but we encourage everyone to check the flood risk in their area and take whatever steps are needed to be prepared.
"Flooding can happen at any time.”
Flood-prevention equipment being allocated by County Hall includes air brick covers, which are watertight shields installed on air bricks to seal them off, Osmo barriers - lightweight, water-activated ‘noodle’ that expands on contact with water to block or divert floodwater, and flood Clips, which are lightweight, freestanding, portable temporary flood barriers designed to protect hard surfaces like concrete, tarmac, and paving from flood waters.
Go to leicestershire.gov.uk/flooding to find out more about flood risk and how to prepare.
Visit check-for-flooding.service.gov.uk for flood alerts in your area.