The minister responsible for local resilience and emergencies met residents who were impacted by the recent floods in Surrey, including Spelthorne and Runnymede.
Baroness Scott from the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities made the visit on 19 January at Chertsey Fire Station to meet the emergency partners involved in the response effort.
Surrey Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) Area Commander, David Nolan give the minister a comprehensive insight into the service’s response to the flood. He showed her some of the water equipment and explained how it was used to lead people to safety.
She also had the opportunity to meet other agencies involved in the response and spoke to Katie Stewart, Executive Director of Environment, Infrastructure and Growth at Surrey County Council.
Baroness Scott also visited Abbeyfield Residential Park Home where she talked to residents, many of whom were rescued by SFRS and had to be placed in hotels.
Baroness Scott said of the visit: “Hearing about the resilience of Surrey communities and the dedicated efforts of the emergency partners during times of crisis is reassuring. This doesn’t take away from the devastation the floods have caused to many families, businesses and residents. I would like to thank all those who took the time to tell me about their experiences.
“The collaboration I witnessed during my visit highlights Surrey’s commitment to addressing the challenges of flooding. The government is fully supporting the efforts of all the local agencies that are working together towards a safer, more resilient future.”
Cabinet Member for Environment, Marisa Heath said: “We’re grateful to Baroness Scott for visiting and learning about the work the council and partners are doing in Surrey. Flooding can be devastating for residents and local businesses. Working together is essential to minimise the potential impact and to mitigate against flooding risks.”
