Council leaders are calling for emergency funding to help deal with the consequences of the recent extreme weather.
The Local Government Association (LGA) is urging the Department for Transport to set up an emergency fund to pay for the damage done to local roads and infrastructure. A similar fund was created in 2007 to deal with severe flooding.
Mike Jones, chair of the LGA's Environment and Housing Board, said: ‘The severe weather has left behind a daunting trail of destruction for councils to clear-up and fix. We were already facing a £10.5bn repair backlog to bring our highways up to scratch and the damage to our roads by this recent flooding will be considerable and costly.
‘While we are pleased the Bellwin Scheme will be activated, the fact remains that Bellwin is severely limited as it does not cover most capital costs. An emergency highways maintenance fund would provide essential support to those councils who now face hefty and unexpected repair bills as a result of the flooding.’
The LGA warned that the unexpected road repairs bill will place ‘significant’ pressure on council finances if extra funding is not found.
