GovWire

Ministerial Flood Recovery Envoy for Yorkshire Robert Goodwill today (10 January 2016) announced 3.3 million of funding for the restoration of the Tadcaster Bridge and the construction of a temporary footbridge to serve the community while work is ongoing.

This new funding will enable North Yorkshire County Council to make urgent repairs to the 300-year-old listed bridge and structural assessments are already underway, despite the challenging conditions at the site. This much needed funding is in addition to a 40 million pledge made by the Prime Minister last week to repair and improve flood defences following Storm Eva.

Working with the local landowner, the plan is for a pre-assembled temporary footbridge to provide residents with easy access to both sides of the river whilst construction is underway on the main bridge. This will supplement the existing foot access across the old railway viaduct which is undergoing urgent improvements to better cope with the increased footfall.

Robert Goodwill said:

The floods in Yorkshire have been devastating for residents and businesses across the county and we have seen the partial collapse of the Tadcaster bridge split the community in two.

We have made the repair of the bridge a national priority and I am pleased to announce that today we are providing 3.3 million to restore this important route. I am determined to ensure I do everything I can to help and this is an important step in keeping the recovery effort on track in Yorkshire.

The government and North Yorkshire County Council have worked together closely, with support from military and Highways England experts to finalise plans.

Councillor Carl Les, leader of North Yorkshire County Council said:

We are very pleased that the government are providing their support and that we have this early confirmation that the government will fund the cost of the work to reconnect the local community. We want to get life in Tadcaster back to normal as quickly as possible.

The temporary bridge will be built by a British firm.

The government has invested nearly 200 million in recovery from Storm Eva and Storm Desmond, with more than 40 million to repair and improve flood defences following Storm Eva. Money pledged to Cumbria, Lancashire and Northumberland after Storm Desmond earlier in the month included 60 million for communities and local authorities; and 1 million in matched funding for charities. 1 million has already been paid to the Cumbria Community Foundation in its joint appeal with the Community Foundation for Lancashire.

Pledges so far in response to Storm Eva are at least 50 million for communities and local authorities; 40 million for flood defences; and 2 million in matched funding for charity flood appeals for affected areas.

The government has also pledged 40 million for rebuilding local transport infrastructure for flood-affected areas in Cumbria and Lancashire following Storm Desmond and Storm Eva and is working closely with other affected authorities as they determine the level of damage caused following Eva and Frank.

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