DISASTER plans are being drawn up for Bingley to combat scenarios such as flooding, freak weather or major power failures before bad weather arrives.

And it will tested with a dry run next month involving emergency services.

Bingley Town Council has created a working party, headed by Bingley Flood Support Group founder and Councillor Michelle Chapman which has held its first meeting with experts from Bradford City Hall.

“An emergency planner came out to see us and had already partly completed a plan for any emergency that could hit the town,” Cllr Chapman said.

“We are working to complete it and it will be there in case of any major disaster with all the necessary direct contact details for senior fire and police personnel - something we desperately needed during the Boxing Day floods.

“We used the Bingley Scout Group HQ then, but are also identifying possible offices to use as a headquarters where a special “emergency box” will be kept.

“It will have two-way radios, hi-viz clothing and detailed technical maps of the town in it amongst other things which again, we were desperate for on Flood Day last year.”

Cllr Chapman said due to the unpredictable modern weather patterns, people were already becoming worried over the risk of future flooding.

“When White Scar Cave flooded at Ingleton this week I had phone calls from people if any floods were going to hit here in Bingley, that’s how nervous people are - they are already panicking about it.”

She said the new plan would be tested annually; “It won’t be static, it will be a developing plan which will cover more than floods.

“It will prepare us for heavy snows and major electricity and gas supply cuts.

“I used to work in the gas supply industry and I know that when a town loses its gas supply in the height of winter things can be horrendous.”

Chris Slaven, Bradford Council’s Emergency Planning Officer, said: “It is great to work with such a committed group of people on issues which directly affect their community.

“We are working together to develop a response to emergencies such as flooding or severe weather.”

840 homes and 170 businesses were affected by flooding from the rivers Aire and Wharfe on Boxing Day 2016 and volunteer support groups were set up in Bingley, Shipley and Baildon.