On behalf of the leaders of the City Council I would like to place on record our gratitude to all those who responded with such alacrity and kindness to the weekend’s flooding in the Ashley Road area.

This was a very distressing time for the residents involved, and our thoughts remain with them.

In particular, thanks are due to Cllrs Sam Charleston, Sven Hocking (local flood response co-ordinator) and Paul Sample, who were quickly on the scene on Saturday night.

Cllr Charleston was back there first thing on Sunday morning, offering support and delivering information.

Huge thanks to the council’s interim city clerk Jo Wood and environmental services manager Marc Read, who both turned out at 10pm on Saturday to open up the council’s depot to supply sandbags.

And we couldn’t have managed without the guys from Spire Removals who were passing and stopped to help. They closed the road until emergency services arrived and then ferried sandbags from the depot.

On Sunday morning a Wiltshire Council highways officer organised drain clearance, and the Environment Agency’s River Park project manager Andy Wallis visited the worst-affected households, as did our MP John Glen and I, and Cllr Lynne Blackwood.

If I have missed anyone out, I apologise.

There are several aspects of this whole situation that need to be explored further once the clean-up operation is completed.

Therefore Mr Wallis has agreed to attend and answer questions at the City Council’s next meeting, at the Guildhall on Monday, January 22 at 6.30pm. I have also asked Cllr Hocking to report on any lessons learned from the flood response point of view.

This meeting is open to all, and we welcome questions from the public. If possible could you please submit them by lunchtime on Friday 19 to corporate@salisburycitycouncil.gov.uk.

Cllr Annie Riddle

Independent for Harnham West

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