Minister views flood defence work

Mr Healey talked to residents about their experiences

Floods minister John Healey has visited Barnsley to inspect the council's work since the summer deluge of 2007.

He visited three locations that were badly hit by the flooding, including Darton Post Office which was affected on three separate occasions.

A flood-resilience store stocked with sandbags and other vital equipment has been installed at the post office.

Mr Healey also visited a travellers' site at Low Valley and look at flood defence work on the River Dove.

During his visit to the flood-resilience store, Mr Healey said: "I think the lessons were clear from the last 18 months and lessons are being learned.

"There is still more we can do.

"A step like this is a good first front line, it means local residents can help each other out. They have got some of the things they will need if they are faced with a possible flood in the future. They control it."

The Low Valley community on the Dove was the worst affected in Barnsley borough, with almost 200 homes and six businesses inundated.

The council has since carried out river debris clearance on behalf of the Environment Agency to improve river flow in the area.

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Minister visits flood victims