Millions to be invested in Dorset roads and flood resilience after storms

Millions to be invested in Dorset roads and flood resilience after storms

Dorset Council is set to invest millions of pounds to repair storm-damaged roads and strengthen flood-hit hotspots following what has been described as the worst flooding in the county for a decade.

In a letter to council staff, Cllr Simon Clifford, Dorset Council’s cabinet member for finance, praised teams across the authority for their response to the unprecedented storms and flooding.

He said staff from roads and transport to social care had worked together to set up emergency centres, maintain transport links and support residents during the crisis.

“I’d like to place on record my thanks for all Dorset Council teams who have done so much to help through these unprecedented storms and flooding,” he said. “It has been a huge and challenging team effort.”

While acknowledging significant disruption and unavoidable road closures, Cllr Clifford said council leader Nick Ireland had asked senior officers to assess what investment is needed to make key flooding hotspots more resilient in the future.

The council plans to invest heavily in areas where roads have suffered serious damage and will increase day-to-day maintenance to address a backlog of repairs once floodwaters recede.

“It will cost millions of pounds but Dorset Council is committed to do what it can to prevent a repeat,” Cllr Clifford said.

Full proposals are due to be presented at Tuesday’s council meeting, where the cabinet hopes to secure cross-party support.

“Flooding surely is an issue that will unite, not divide,” he added.