Floods: Council Helping Guildford Community And Those Further Afield

Published on: 15 Feb, 2014
Updated on: 15 Feb, 2014

Guildford Borough Council has assured residents that it is on standby to help the community during the difficult weather conditions and flooding.

It continues to work with partner agencies to monitor the situation in the borough and offer assistance in the wider Surrey area.

On Friday (February 14) Cllr Richard Billington, Lead Councillor for Community Safety and Health, said: “There is a flood alert in place for the Lower River Wey and Tillingbourne. We continue to monitor the river levels and review the changing situation. We urge residents to watch out for Environment Agency updates and sign up for their free text or email alert service.

“We are also helping Surrey County Council and district councils to deal with the floods in other parts of the county. We supplied 1,000 sandbags to Spelthorne Borough Council, 500 to Runnymede Borough Council and our staff will help operate emergency rest centres. We will continue to offer mutual aid where possible to help during this difficult time.

“I would like to thank local residents and businesses who have contacted us to offer help in the areas affected by flooding. We will pass on any offers of assistance to those areas most in need.

“While our first priority must be to support those at risk or suffering because of flooding now, we are carrying out a review to see what lessons can be learned from the recent floods [Christmas 2013 and new year]. We are working with partner agencies and local people to collect information and look at the issues in detail. It is important to see if we can improve our response to flooding situations along with other emergency conditions.”

Recent flooding at Shalford Meadows.

For flood alerts, advice and information visit www.environment-agency.gov.uk

For the latest on flooding in Guildford and service changes visit www.guildford.gov.uk

You can also follow the council on Twitter @GuildfordBC and Facebook /GuildfordBC.

If you are a Guildford resident and are concerned about flooding, call the borough council on either of these numbers:
• Customer contact centre – 01483 505050
• In an out of hours emergency only, call 01483 455091

Other useful phone numbers:

• Thames Water – 08459 200 800
• Environment Agency Floodline – 0845 988 118
• Environment Agency Incident – 0800 807 060
• Surrey Police – 101
• Surrey County Council – 0300 200 1003