Victims of Morpeth floods home for Christmas
Dec 22 2008 by Dave Black, The Journal
A GROUP of council tenants in Morpeth who had to leave their flooded homes more than three months ago are back in time for Christmas – thanks to a high-speed recovery operation.
The 24 tenants of Castle Morpeth Housing – which manages more than 2,000 houses and flats for the borough council – have been handed their keys back in time to be home again for Christmas dinner.
It follows the housing association and its partners working against the clock and fast-tracking repairs to allow the first batch of tenants to go back following the devastating flooding of September 6.
About 1,000 homes and businesses were flooded when the River Wansbeck burst its banks, 150 of them managed by Castle Morpeth Housing.
The association put together a dedicated flood repairs team which used special equipment and put in many hours of work to speed up drying times and ensure the first 24 homes were made ready for occupation again eight months ahead of schedule.
Thirteen properties have also been upgraded as part of a programme to improve residents’ quality of life. Castle Morpeth Housing also used the flooding as an opportunity to relocate five residents to more suitable homes. It has been helped in its flood recovery work by partners such as local bed and breakfasts and a large insurance company,
Yesterday managing director Tina Drury said: “To return these keys to residents in time for Christmas is a fantastic achievement for the whole team.
“The partners, the community and my staff have been unbelievably dedicated to the cause and I am extremely proud of them.’’
All 150 of Castle Morpeth Housing’s flood-hit properties are on course to be fully repaired by March.
Meanwhile, the Morpeth flood victims’ relief fund – run by the town’s Lions Club – continues to receive financial contributions. Recent donations have come from Viscount Ridley, Belsay First School, the Newcastle branch of the Chartered Insurance Institute and the Johnnie Johnson Housing Trust.
