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Boston floods £4m defence fund 'going unclaimed' | Boston floods £4m defence fund 'going unclaimed' |
(about 14 hours later) | |
A £4m flood defence fund for Lincolnshire is going largely unclaimed, officials have said. | A £4m flood defence fund for Lincolnshire is going largely unclaimed, officials have said. |
Hundreds of homes and businesses in and around Boston were swamped by a tidal surge in December. | Hundreds of homes and businesses in and around Boston were swamped by a tidal surge in December. |
The government made grants of up to £5,000 available for people to flood-proof their buildings. | The government made grants of up to £5,000 available for people to flood-proof their buildings. |
But Boston Borough Council has said of the 700 properties known to have been affected, only 23 have made formal applications. | But Boston Borough Council has said of the 700 properties known to have been affected, only 23 have made formal applications. |
'Lives on track' | 'Lives on track' |
Stephanie Mooney, who is still drying out her house after five months, said: | Stephanie Mooney, who is still drying out her house after five months, said: |
"We've tried to paint, but its still too damp, so we have bare walls and children running around on floorboards. | "We've tried to paint, but its still too damp, so we have bare walls and children running around on floorboards. |
"I've had to stop working to try and sort the place out. | "I've had to stop working to try and sort the place out. |
"We were not aware of the £5,000 grant, we have not been told. It would be a huge help." | "We were not aware of the £5,000 grant, we have not been told. It would be a huge help." |
The council responded that it had tried to contact Mrs Mooney several times but had received no response. | |
Its lead flood officer, Phil Drury, said: "We have tried to get round the homes and businesses we know were hit and make the process as easy as possible. | |
"We will come round, we will survey the property, we will do all the work, we will appoint and manage a contractor, so people can get their lives on track." | "We will come round, we will survey the property, we will do all the work, we will appoint and manage a contractor, so people can get their lives on track." |
'Paperwork fear' | 'Paperwork fear' |
He added: "It is on the website, we have written to those properties we know were affected but the next stage is perhaps knocking on doors - but people are not always at home. | He added: "It is on the website, we have written to those properties we know were affected but the next stage is perhaps knocking on doors - but people are not always at home. |
"If it is not for people, then fine, but it would be a real shame for people to miss out because the don't know about it" | "If it is not for people, then fine, but it would be a real shame for people to miss out because the don't know about it" |
Stuart Hellon, from the Boston's Citizen's Advice Bureau, said it was unclear why people were holding back. | Stuart Hellon, from the Boston's Citizen's Advice Bureau, said it was unclear why people were holding back. |
"It's only available to homeowners, not tenants, which might be a factor and I think some people are a bit scared of the paperwork - which isn't that bad. | "It's only available to homeowners, not tenants, which might be a factor and I think some people are a bit scared of the paperwork - which isn't that bad. |
"Lots of people were insured and feel they have taken care of things, especially as this scheme was only announced in April." | "Lots of people were insured and feel they have taken care of things, especially as this scheme was only announced in April." |
A report by the Lincolnshire Resilience Forum put the damage caused to the county's infrastructure by flooding at £8.1m. | A report by the Lincolnshire Resilience Forum put the damage caused to the county's infrastructure by flooding at £8.1m. |
Any money unspent will be returned to the government. | Any money unspent will be returned to the government. |
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