Flood damage to cost Devon over £4m

Devon County Council say clearing last week's flood damage will cost £1 million, with the repair bill for the road network topping £3 million.

The council announced yesterday that they will seek emergency Government funding under the Bellwin scheme, which can be used where an emergency or disaster occurs, causing destruction or danger to life and property.

Figures are likely to increase as the assessments have so far only been based on around a quarter of the county’s roads, the majority of which have been the major A and B roads.

Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Highways and Transportation, said: "We will have to apply to the Government for emergency funding under the Bellwin scheme. The overall costs of the clear up will be over £1 million and are expected to increase further, and the repair costs are in excess of £3 million. That is based on just 25% of the network surveyed so far, so these costs are also likely to rise. We have further warnings of more heavy rain for tomorrow and Friday this week so we have to be prepared to expect the possibility of further disruption.”