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Friday 5 January (1300hrs)
Latest update:
Northamptonshire Local Resilience Forum (LRF) partners have today (5 January) stood down response to floods as the risk of further flooding in the county recedes.
Overnight weather conditions had less impact on Northamptonshire waterways than was predicted, and water levels are thought to have largely peaked across the county. This means that the county can move into the recovery phase as partners from the local authorities lead the clear up work.
LRF partners which include Northamptonshire Police, Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service, West Northamptonshire Council, North Northamptonshire Council, the Environment Agency, emergency planners and health agencies have supported the safety and welfare of people displaced or affected by the weather conditions over the last week. They have been supported by a wider group of agencies including volunteers from Northamptonshire Search and Rescue, Nene Maritime Volunteer Service and Rapid Relief Team.
Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service Area Commander, Mick Berry said, on behalf of the LRF: “I would like to thank everyone who has been involved in the planning and response work over the last week, not just at Billing Aquadrome but also ensuring resilience right across Northamptonshire. This is a great example of collaborative working to keep the county’s residents safe.
“I would also like to thank the public for following the right safety messages and taking precautions to keep themselves safe as well.
“There continues to be a lot of standing water around and some localised flooding, and we know that weather conditions can change rapidly. We ask people to keep listening to forecasts and follow the safety messages that the fire service and other partners share during periods of inclement weather.”
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04 January 2024
Members of West Northamptonshire Council’s (WNC) Taxi and General Licensing Committee will next week consider whether to approve a new draft policy designed to protect taxi and private hire passengers.
The draft policy’s key aim is to ensure that drivers and vehicles meet high standards in protecting the public and providing a quality service. It has been through extensive consultation in recent months with many opportunities for the everyone, including the industry, to submit comments.
The policies are also there to protect the reputation of the industry, ensuring passengers can be confident that they will always have a positive experience. To do this part of the new approach is a points scheme which will allow for more consistent enforcement.
The document has been drafted in line with Government and Institute of Licensing guidance and is similar to those of all our neighbouring authorities.
We’ve considered all views, including those of the trade and unions, in compiling what we believe is a robust policy which will help to ensure passengers are appropriately protected and the high quality of service maintained.Cllr David Smith, Cabinet Member for Community Safety, Engagement and Regulatory ServicesWe’re conscious that some members of the trade are unhappy with elements of the policy, and we acknowledge this, though public safety must remain our primary concern.
Those drivers who operate a safe and well-maintained vehicle, keep a high standard of cleanliness, do not drive in a reckless fashion, so providing a positive experience for passengers will see no difference.
Working with the industry we have recently introduced taxi marshals in Northampton which will also help promote safety for both the public and drivers.
The Council will continue to engage and work with the taxi and private hire industry to help maintain the reputation of the trade in providing a safe means of public transport in the area.
If approved, the policy will be a living document and will be under constant review to ensure it remains fit for purpose.
The committee is set to meet at The Guildhall next Tuesday (9 January) and full details of the policy, including all consultation responses can be viewed on our website.
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NEWS RELEASE ON BEHALF OF NORTHAMPTONSHIRE LOCAL RESILIENCE FORUM
The multi-agency response to flooding on Billing Aquadrome concluded last night and all emergency services were stood down at around 9.20pm (3 January).
The potential for flooding continues to be a concern in Northamptonshire and whilst the rain may have eased today, water levels may not have peaked and there is likely to be further flood disruption over the coming days.
Further rainfall is predicted in Northamptonshire later this evening (4 January) and residents across Northamptonshire and particularly those who live close to waterways are being urged to continue to follow safety advice around flood water. The rivers Nene, Tove and Great River Ouse continue to swell and will likely lead to a further increase in water levels and localised flooding.
Roads may appear to be clear, but the conditions could deteriorate again as these water levels rise. Motorists are encouraged to avoid driving through flood water and leave additional time for their journeys.
Northamptonshire’s Local Resilience Forum partners are continuing to meet daily as they work to manage the situation, to monitor the weather and flooding risk across the county and continue to implement plans to keep the county safe.
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The Northamptonshire Local Resilience Forum agencies have continued to work together today (Wednesday 3 January) in response to the flooding at Billing Aquadrome.
Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service crews from Corby, Wellingborough and Mereway have been at the scene all day to rescue the remaining residents from the site. Crews have used specialist water rescue equipment and vehicles including boats and rescue sleds to take people to safety.
Twenty-nine adults and two children, along with a number of pets have been evacuated today as part of the rescue operations. Crews are continuing to carry out a systematic search of the 1750 static homes. They have made contact with and evacuated everyone who wanted to leave, however, a small number of residents have chosen to remain in their properties.
Due to the scale of the incident additional resources were requested from neighbouring fire services who provided two additional boats. This enabled Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service to continue responding to the flooding at Billing Aquadrome whilst also attending other incidents around the county.
Also supporting the response were Northamptonshire Police and the other LRF partner agencies, as well as volunteers from Northamptonshire Search and Rescue.
It is expected that the operation at Billing Aquadrome will be scaled down in the next few hours.
The response to the wider flooding continues as LRF partners work to support the safety and welfare of vulnerable people affected by the flooding across the county.
For information on flood warnings visit: https://www.gov.uk/check-flooding
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02 January 2024
The Environment Agency has issued a flood warning for our area, so here’s what to do in the event this should threaten to affect you or your home.
If you are in immediate danger, call 999.
Listen out for local radio updates or find out how to sign up for flood warnings on the Government website. You can also call the Flood line on 0345 988 1188.
Up-to-date flood alerts are also posted on the Government website and can be checked by location.
If water is entering your home:
- Make sure you have access to clean water
- Move essential items upstairs or out of reach of the water
- Turn off gas, electricity, and water supplies when flood water is about to enter your home, but only if safe to do so - do not touch sources of electricity when standing in flood water
Make sure you stay safe and follow information contained in the Northamptonshire Flood Toolkit.
Don’t be tempted to drive through flood water, it can leave you stranded and in need or rescue. You can log any road flooding with our Highways team.
Any other type of flooding can be reported to our Flood and Water Team.
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