Sam Gyimah MP with Louise Round (left) and Cllr. Sakina Bradbury at the BP garage last Friday.

On Friday 21st February Sam Gyimah MP convened a meeting with businesses in Whyteleafe affected by the flooding. The meeting, which was hosted by the BP petrol station on Godstone Road, was attended by around 15 local firms including CS Podd & Son Ltd, Litho Techniques Ltd, Wraysbury Tyres, and Premium Heating Supplies.

Whyteleafe Tavern landlord and Tandridge District Councillor Tom Dempsey, who has been very active throughout the past few weeks including offering residents beds at the Tavern, was also present, with fellow councillor Sakina Bradbury chairing the meeting. Louise Round, Chief Executive at Tandridge District Council, who is part of the multi-agency effort coordinating the flood response, discussed the long-term strategy to minimise disruption over the coming weeks.

Sam chats to local businessman, Vince Elgar, owner of Brian Gow Roofing.

Sam said: “The past few weeks have been very tough for residents in Whyteleafe. Having a clear plan to help the businesses affected and get life back to normal for the community is essential. This meeting was an opportunity to look in depth at the challenges local businesses have faced – from communication issues around road closures through to the ongoing problems with sewage, which Thames Water needs to address as a matter of priority. My role is to help ensure that we have an effective and coordinated response from the agencies involved, that firms are aware of the support available from central Government, and more generally play whatever role I can to aid the community at this difficult time.”

Sam will be visiting Caterham this Saturday coming, 1st March, to meet local residents. He will be based outside Caterham Station from 12 noon and will be joined by local councillors.