Two large storm pumps have been given new homes so agencies can respond quicker to protect homes and businesses from the risk of flooding.
Yorkshire Water has teamed up with Ryedale District Council and Harrogate Borough Council so that future multi-agency flood responses are quicker in Malton, Norton and Old Malton and Boroughbridge.
Special licences are needed to transport the pumps because of their size and their previous location, in Yorkshire Water’s logistic centre in Leeds, meant they weren’t used to their optimum capacity. The time taken to transport them from Leeds to North Yorkshire reduced their effectiveness too.
At the end of February one pump was transported to a Yorkshire Water site in Ripon. Harrogate Borough Council will use this pump during future flood warnings or incidents in Boroughbridge to protect properties from flooding.
The other pump was taken to the Ryedale District Council depot for use specifically as part of the Malton, Norton and Old Malton Multi-Agency Pump Plan.
Eve Pierrepont who works in the Flood Risk & Engagement Team and Michelle Lovewell from the Emergency Planning Team at Yorkshire Water worked with colleagues at both Local Authorities to arrange the deliveries.
Eve said: By working together we are making efficiencies, as we supply the pumps and our colleagues at the local authorities supply the resources to deploy them. The communities of Malton, Norton, Old Malton and Boroughbridge will hopefully benefit as we are able to respond to any future flood incidents more efficiently.
