Local Conservative MP Sheryll Murray has welcomed the news from Defra that an extra £238,000 has been allocated to Cornwall to assist with flooding. The scheme is aimed at protecting communities where flooding is a major problem and the projects will be required to demonstrate that they can reduce the levels of flood risk in measurable ways. This will give residents evidence about flood risk that could be taken into account by insurers and result in lower premiums. The projects are funded by the Flood Resilience Community Pathfinder scheme launched by Defra in December 2012.
The Minister, Richard Benyon, explained, "We want to help local communities do more to protect their homes and possessions from the risk of flooding. The Flood Resilience Community Pathfinder Scheme will enable communities to find simple, effective ways to minimise their flood risk, improve their levels of preparedness, and build confidence and increased peace of mind. All together with money from local communities and business raised through our successful partnership funding scheme, over £2.3 billion is being spent to protect people from flooding. This is more money than ever before, and we are on course to better protect 165,000 homes by 2015. Pathfinder projects are designed to complement other flood risk management work already taking place, or planned for the future, to further alleviate the risk of flooding."
Local MP Sheryll Murray MP said, "Firstly, I would like to offer my heartfelt condolences to the family of my Constituent who tragically lost her life in the house collapse in East Looe last Friday. I would also like to thank all the emergency services who attended the scene from all over the South West."
Sheryll continued, "I asked Mr Benyon to come to Looe to see for himself the damage and disruption that weather related incidents were causing. I emphasised to him the need for extra funding for this area and I am pleased that he has listened. I am looking for this money to be spent on immediate physical prevention and will continue to push the Government for further assistance in this area.
Looe town councillor Brian Galipeau, who has been campaigning in Looe for a community flood plan welcomed the news. He said, "This extra money for flood relief will be welcome. I impressed on the Minister when he visited Looe last month that coastal communities like Looe and Polperro are hit much harder than inland communities following flooding and landslips because they lack alternative routes and are subject to repeated threats. I am also glad that it is being recognised that something needs to be done to help reduce the threat of higher home and business insurance which local people can ill-afford".
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Contact: Sheryll Murray MP 01579 344428
Pictured: Cllr Brian Galipeau, Richard Benyon MP and Sheryll Murray MP survey the damage from Hannafore Road, West Looe at the visit earlier in the year.