FLOOD-hit communities are set to benefit from up to £5m in central government funding thanks to the efforts of MP Rishi Sunak.

The £3m cost of replacing and repairing bridges will be covered by the Department of Transport.

The one-off, exceptional funding will help North Yorkshire County Council replace the bridge on Grinton Moor and repair a second bridge near Cogden Beck on the B6270 Reeth-Richmond road as quickly as possible.

The Richmond MP said affected farmers will also benefit from a £2m fund modelled on the Farming Recovery Fund set up after the Cumbria floods. The 15 to 20 farms in Swaledale and lower Wensleydale hit by the flooding will be able to apply for grants to cover uninsured costs of getting their farms back in production.

The £2m fund will also be available to farms around the Lincolnshire town of Wainfleet which was flooded in June.

Mr Sunak also confirmed that following his representations, the Government’s emergency Bellwin scheme had been activated to enable local authorities to apply to central government for reimbursement of money they have spent on the relief effort.

The Northern Echo: The clean up continues The clean up continues

Under the scheme, Richmondshire District and North Yorkshire County Councils will apply to have up to 100 per cent of the money they have spent on items like relief centres, temporary accommodation and staff overtime reimbursed by the Government.

Mr Sunak said: “I have spent the last week with Ministers across Whitehall to secure these funds and ensure our community can recover from the impact of last week’s flash-flooding as soon as possible.

“The relief work on the ground has been superb and it is right that central government should back that up to the greatest extent possible.

“The people of the dales have shown their resilience and community spirit and I am delighted to have delivered the financial assistance to help them recover from what in many instances has been a disaster.”

Mr Sunak said: “What has been achieved in the past 10 days since the deluge has been inspiring but both I and the Government appreciate this relief effort will continue for months. These three funding streams are designed to provide that long-term support to communities.”

He thanked his ministerial colleagues in the Environment, Communities and Transport departments for working with him on the recovery funding package.

Mr Sunak visited the affected areas on two days last week, speaking to flood victims and the relief workers. He has been working together with his own team to provide support to individuals and help co-ordinate recovery efforts in local parishes. Mr Sunak said he would continue to support local communities and will be regularly monitoring the recovery operation on the ground.

Council leader Cllr Carl Les said: “July’s flash floods have had a severe impact on parts of the Yorkshire Dales and in particular the areas of Swaledale and Arkengarthdale in Richmondshire.

“There has been significant damage to road infrastructure, which we are working to resolve and liaising with Department of Transport.

“Farming is a crucial business for us here in North Yorkshire and is one of the mainstays of our local economy.

“It’s a tough business in these upland areas and many farms are barely viable, yet at the same time they are absolutely vital to the communities, the landscape and the tourism industry that the whole of the Dales relies upon."

The Northern Echo: The damaged bridge on the B6270 over Cogden Beck near Grinton Picture: RICHARD DOUGHTYThe damaged bridge on the B6270 over Cogden Beck near Grinton Picture: RICHARD DOUGHTY

Following another tour of some of the worst-impacted communities again on Thursday, the council’s chief executive, Richard Flinton, said: “These truly devastating floods may be a very rare weather event, but where they have hit they have destroyed everything in their path.

“There has been significant damage to the infrastructure of farms, including outbuildings and particularly the loss of dry stone walls. Crucial silage and fodder for animals over the winter months has been ruined and livestock has been killed by the torrent of flood water.”

NFU Regional Director, Adam Bedford said: “We have been working round the clock to gather evidence of the impact of last week’s extreme weather on the farming community of Swaledale, Arkengarthdale and Wensleydale and farmers have been helping us with that. The picture painted was of miles of walls and fences swept away, livestock lost and farms buried beneath a sea of boulders and rubble.

"Along with others we’ve made an urgent case for government support with the recovery. Today’s announcement means that recovery is assured, although it’s accepted that rebuilding the area’s iconic walls may take years rather than months.”

The Met Office has issued Yellow weather warnings across the North for heavy rain, wind and storms throughout the weekend.