Birmingham Tornado

Communities and Local Government written question – answered at on 10 July 2006.

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Photo of Caroline Spelman Caroline Spelman Shadow Secretary of State (Office of the Deputy Prime Minister)

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what progress has been made in repairing the areas of Birmingham affected by the tornado in July 2005; and if she will make a statement.

Photo of Angela Smith Angela Smith Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Department for Communities and Local Government, The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government

The information is as follows:

Housing

The serious damage to housing was in the Sparkbrook/Moseley area, where many houses suffered damage to roofs and supporting walls.

Council Housing

The city council owned a handful of homes in the tornado affected area; any that were damaged have had repairs completed and the tenants are back in their homes.

Registered Social Housing

Most of the social housing in the area is owned by a small number of registered social landlords (RSLs) and in all around 900 of their homes suffered damage; some sustaining severe damage to the main structure, making them structurally unsound.

A number of residents (mostly RSL tenants) had to be temporarily re-housed while repairs works were carried out, but the vast majority are now back in their homes.

The four largest RSLs in the area report that all repairs have been completed and all their tenants have returned home.

Private Sector Housing

A smaller number of private sector homes suffered damage, and although the city council offered loans to residents for repair costs, the majority of tenants were able to access either insurance payments or make separate funding arrangements.

Parks and Public Open Spaces

Parks and public open spaces in the affected area suffered considerable damage, with park infrastructure such as railings, footpaths, lighting columns, litter bins, benches, play equipment and signs badly damaged. Over 500 trees were destroyed—90 per cent. of the total.

All health and safety issues and structural features such as paths and boundary railings have now been repaired and/or replaced in the parks and public open spaces affected by the tornado.

Some replacement tree planting was carried out last autumn, sponsored by the city council's service providers, and there are plans to carry out additional planting this coming autumn.

A redevelopment plan for the worst affected site, Balsall Heath Park, is being developed with local residents.

Businesses

An initial survey of the affected area indicated there were 114 business physically affected by the tornado. The majority of local traders are now back in business.

Investment

The city council have provided the emergency/recovery costs associated with the tornado, this accounted for an overall figure of £4.3 million. Further to this, £1.0 million of capital investment funding is being approved.

RSLs in the area have also invested around £6 million to repair damaged homes.

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