More residents allowed back to Northampton's Billing Aquadrome today after Christmas evacuation

According to the owners of the park, damage is 'limited'
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A holiday park in Northampton badly affected by severe flooding will continue its phased reopening today (December 30).

Residents from Billing Aquadrome had to be evacuated on Christmas Eve, 250 of which had to be rescued from their mobile homes as flood water reached up to five feet in some areas.

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After The Environment Agency completed temporary repair works to the banks of the River Nene and delivered 2,000 sandbags, the park was allowed to begin its phased reopening for residents yesterday (December 29).

Northamptonshire Search and Rescue were on hand to rescue 250 people from their mobile homes on Christmas Eve. Photo: Northamptonshire Search and RescueNorthamptonshire Search and Rescue were on hand to rescue 250 people from their mobile homes on Christmas Eve. Photo: Northamptonshire Search and Rescue
Northamptonshire Search and Rescue were on hand to rescue 250 people from their mobile homes on Christmas Eve. Photo: Northamptonshire Search and Rescue

A further six areas of the park will reopen today and another announcement is expected later today to inform further residents it is also safe for them to return to the site where 'damage has been limited', according to the company that owns the park.

A Billing Aquadrome spokesman said: "11 areas of the park, which equates to over 50 percent, of the park has now reopened to holiday home owners today.

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"Communication with our owners is primarily through our Billing Aquadrome Facebook page. In addition we have a team in the office supporting owners with telephone enquiries.

More residents are expected to be allowed back to the park today (December 30).More residents are expected to be allowed back to the park today (December 30).
More residents are expected to be allowed back to the park today (December 30).

"There will be further area by area announcements today (December 30) as the park continues the phased reopen.

"The park team and our approved specialist contractors have worked around the clock to conduct safety checks to essential services.

Gordon Walker, operations director for Pure Leisure, parent company of the holiday park, added: “I would like to express our thanks to our senior general manager, Nigel Pilsworth and his team along with the all the various agencies - environment, police, four by four volunteers, council, fire, and ambulance service - who have helped tirelessly during these difficult times.

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"It is a credit to all that damage was limited and contained as a result of the River Nene being overwhelmed on Christmas Eve and that the park has bounced back and is moving towards being fully operational within such a short period.

"All have worked unstintingly over the Christmas break. It’s been great to see such a team effort.”

All the areas that have already reopened are: New Bird Lake View, Bird Lake Meadow, Kingfisher Drive, Bird Lake Pastures, Bird Lake Way, Moorhen Island, Goose Island, Goose Walk, Mallard Fields, Mallard View, Mallard Lakes, Woodpecker Drive, Woodpecker Way, Kingfisher Meadow, Kingfisher Retreat, Goose Lakes, Goose Waters.

Owners are asked to keep an eye on the Billing Aquadrome Facebook page to see further updates.

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The community response to help those affected by the flooding has also been extensive. Read more about that here.

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