Last updated at 10:36, Saturday, 21 November 2009

Two Bentleys and a 16-seater coach are insurance write-offs after floods hit Willowholme Industrial Estate in Carlisle.

Kevin Scott, of Staceys Coaches, left and mechanic David Adams at Willowholme, Carlisle

The vehicles belonged to Stacey’s Coaches whose premises in Millrace Road were under 4ft of water by noon yesterday.

Autovolks garage next door lost seven cars, four of which belonged to customers.

Barrie Barnes, managing director of both businesses, expects the bill for damage to be more than £1m.

He said: “We began moving vehicles at 9.30pm on Thursday when water started coming up through drains.

“United Utilities didn’t ring to warn us until 2am – it would have been too late by then.

“We had this in 2005 and I never thought it would happen again. Never.”

Stacey’s, which employs 106 people, was able to move most of its fleet of 40 coaches.

Stagecoach has allowed some to be parked at its bus depot nearby. Others are on Cumbrian Newspapers’ car park in Dalston Road.

Stacey’s has set up a temporary office in Chatsworth Square and says customers should call 07885 767766.

It says it can honour all contracts and has brought in wedding cars from Newcastle to replace the Bentleys.

Auto Recoveries and WM Joinery in Millrace Road were also flooded.

George Graham, owner of Auto Recoveries, said: “There are no customers’ cars there but we’ve got recovery trucks and equipment stranded and they will be immersed.

“The river defences haven’t been breached. This is totally all surface water.”

Auto Recoveries was under 14ft of water in the 2005 floods when its insurance losses were more than £1m.

Mr Graham said: “The authorities have done the best they can. It’s a question of whether Willowholme is suitable for businesses or whether it would be better left as flood plain as the Northwest Development Agency wanted.

“We will be hit heavily by insurance claims.

“Because of the floods last time there are now large excesses on policies.”

The Showman’s Guild moved fairground equipment and mobile caravans from Willowholme as the waters rose on Thursday night but so far its site is clear of water.

First published at 08:58, Saturday, 21 November 2009
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk