Storm Franklin: Clean-up begins after Matlock hit by flooding again

A clean-up is under way after a town was hit by flooding for the third time in three years.

Parts of Matlock in Derbyshire were submerged in water during Storm Franklin on Monday.

The town council said there were "devastating" levels of flooding in Matlock.

Sarah Dines, Conservative MP for Derbyshire Dales, has joined calls for the government to provide better flood defences for the area.

On Monday, temporary flood defences were installed in Matlock and Matlock Bath after dozens of flood warnings were issued for the county.

Ms Dines said she had spoken to the Environment Secretary and other ministers to push for more funding for better flood defences.

"I've asked for a detailed meeting for them to look again," she said.

"It's very important for Derbyshire Dales that the criteria is looked at again to make sure we get a decent amount of money."

Barry Lewis, leader of Derbyshire County Council, said he had asked the government for resources he claims they were promised in 2019 to prevent flooding in towns like Matlock.

The Environment Agency said the Matlock Flood Protection Scheme, which provides defences to about 140 homes and 156 businesses, was successful during flooding in 2019 and 2021.

It said £45,000 of repairs were completed in early 2020 to these defences following extreme weather the year before.

"We were very concerned to witness the situation which occurred overnight in Matlock this Sunday/Monday," a spokesperson said.

"We fully appreciate that flooding is devastating for all those involved and the issue will be fully investigated in a review of our incident operations.

"However, our priority at present is to focus staff and resources on the ongoing flood issues across the East Midlands."

A few flood alerts and warnings remain in place for Derbyshire on Tuesday.

These include the River Derwent at Church Wilne and Wilne Lane, and the River Trent at Cavendish Bridge.

Some Trent Barton bus services are not running or have diversions due to "difficult road conditions and adverse weather".

Babington Hospital, in Belper, will remain closed after flooding cancelled appointments on Monday.

The NHS trust that runs the hospital said teams would be assessing the damage.

Derbyshire Dales District Council praised its staff's "phenomenal effort" in tackling Monday's floods and it estimates about 2,000 sandbags were handed out to at-risk properties in 24 hours.

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