Billing Aquadrome

2 May 2012, 11:28 | Updated: 4 May 2012, 12:42

People are being allowed back into Northampton's Billing Aquadrome caravan park after around a thousand people had to be evacuated over flood fears.

People who live or are holidaying in the park were allowed back on Thursday 3 May 2012, three days after the evacuation following heavy rain and a rise in the level of the nearby River Nene.

People were also evacuated from the nearby Cogenhoe Mill caravan park.  An emergency refuge was set up at the nearby Lings Forum leisure centre.

Norman Robinson, Environment Agency Manager said: ‘We would like to thank everybody for their help and patience through this difficult time. We have had 300% of the average rainfall across April and although there is a lot of water about on fields and roads, there has been limited flooding of properties.

‘We recognise that the evacuation of the caravan parks at Cogenhoe and Billing has been a stressful time and we would especially like to thank the occupants and park management for their continued support. We work hard with the emergency services, county and borough authorities and others to ensure that people can stay safe.

‘The emergency response will now be stood down and the rest centre will close. A special thank you needs to go to those who were at the centre at Lings Forum for their commitment and patience across this difficult period. Whilst we have successfully got through the last few days, we would ask that everyone be aware of the risk of flooding and register with our flood warning service by calling Floodline on 0845 988 1188’

Assistant Chief Constable Martin Jelley from Northamptonshire Police who led the emergency response said: ‘I would like to thank the public for their understanding and cooperation during the period we have had the flood risk and evacuation in place. I would also like to express my gratitude towards the Environment Agency and partners who have pulled together to ensure the safety of the Northamptonshire public.’

Peter Angelides Billing Aquadrome Business Development Director for Pure Leisure said: ‘We are delighted we can get back to normal and would like to thank our occupants for their cooperation.’