Here’s a list of hopefully useful links and information points for those of you affected by the flooding that has disrupted Lancaster and Morecambe over the past few days.

Please note the situation is fluid and may change depending on engineering work etc. The Virtual-Lancaster team has been as affected by the floods as all Lancaster residents.

Power Supply

• Regular updates on power supply are being posted by Electricity North West on Twitter @ElectricityNW. For emergencies, please call ENW on 0800 195 4141

• Vulnerable customers can register with us to receive extra support during #powercuts. To register go to http://www.electricitynorthwest.co.uk/priority

Weather

• Lancaster Weather via the Met Office

Emergency Services and Health

• If you were due to have an elective operation at RLI of WGH, call 01524 516095 to see if it is still going ahead. Please use the NHS 111 service if you urgently need medical help or advice but it’s not a life-threatening situation. Read the full information about which services are running at each of our hospitals on Tuesday 8 December here

• Lancaster Police on Twitter @PoliceLancaster and Morecambe Police @MorecambePolice

• If you’ve been affected by flooding the Environment Agency have produced a useful booklet with information and practical advice. Download the PDF here

• Cumbrian fire stations have spent days rescuing people in the Floods. They now face closure. Show them your support by signing this petition

Food and Shelter

• If you’re in emergency need and can’t get help from family and friends, Salt Ayre Sports Centre is still open as rest centre with warm drinks etc.

Electricity North West also has food vans offering warm food in the area. Please check their Twitter page for locations.

Public Transport

• Greyhound Bridge and Skerton Bridge are open

• Both the Millennium Bridge and Carlisle Bridgeare open for pedestrians

• Local bus services remain disrupted. For Stagecoach updates check this page on their web site – you’ll need to enter your postcode: https://www.stagecoachbus.com/service-updates

• Virgin Trains hope to resume mainline services, but bear in mind work is still being carried out and services are dependent on water levels in some areas. For the latest information check their Twitter @VirginTrains

• The Northern Rail Lancaster to Morecambe timetable is here. Services remain disrupted. Check the current status of services here and check their Twitter account for updates: @northernrailorg. Customer relations: 0333 222 0125


Schools and Universities

• Several Lancaster schools are closed, please see this page on the Lancashire County Council web site for more information | Bay Radio also have updates on school closures on their website www.thebay.co.uk/news/school-closures

• Lancaster University has postponed exams, tests and deadlines this week – students should await communication from departments later in the week. For more information visit their Twitter @LancasterUni

Teaching and assessments for most students has been cancelled until next term. Members of staff are asked to come into work as usual on Tuesday 8th December.

Medical students are asked to check their email for individual updates.

Exams, tests and deadlines for coursework due this week will be postponed and students should await confirmation from their department.
Postgraduate degree ceremonies will go ahead this week.

Students who are still on campus and able to get home safely should do so. When making arrangements to be picked up, please arrange to meet in a central area such as near Chaplaincy Centre, in daylight hours if possible.

Buses are currently running normally from the Chaplaincy Centre.

• Cumbria University has, given the disruption to travel in and around Carlisle, Lancaster and surrounding areas, alongside the loss of power in Lancaster, reluctantly taken the decision to suspend teaching at Fusehill Street, Brampton Road and Lancaster until the new year.

However the campuses in Carlisle and Lancaster do remain open and staff will return today (Tuesday 8th December). Students who are able, and wish to use the on-site facilities, are invited to do so. There’s a statement here on the situation

Council Services

• The recent flooding and loss of power in the district is having a major impact on all council services. More information here on the City Council web site. Prime Minister David Cameron has confirmed that the Government will reimburse councils for the costs of addressing the flooding (see below).

Local Business

• Many shops and businesses have been affected by the flooding.

News Broadcasts

• Bay Radio has its own generator and has posted numerous updates on the floods and power situation. Follow them on Twitter @TheBayOfficial

• In some parts of Lancaster, you can still reach BBC Radio Lancashire on 103.9 FM. 104.5 FM should be back now and you can get them on 1557 AM.

• Lancaster Guardian | On Twitter @GuardianDigital

• Helen Pidd, the national Guardian’s North of England editor is tweeting updates @helenpidd

MPs

Prime Minister David Cameron has confirmed that the Government will reimburse councils for the costs of addressing the flooding, says Rory Stewart, Minister for Environment and Rural Affairs and MP for Penrith and The Border in a tweet yesterday. Let’s hold the government to their promise.

• Lancaster and Wyre MP Cat Smith is on Twitter @CatSmithMP 

• Morecambe and Lunesdale MP David Morris is on Twitter ;@Davidmpmorris

Charities

Age UK

Age UK Lancaster’s office will be closed until further notice. Please call 0300 303 1234 for any enquiries. Web: http://www.ageuk.org.uk/lancashire/local-directory1/age-uk-lancashire-office—lancaster

National Trust

• Floods have affected many of National Trust Lake District places, here’s an update as the National Trust assess damage

Community News Sources

• The Lancaster Past & Present Facebook group has a lot of posts from residents on what’s happening


• On Twitter, follow flood news using the hashtag #lancasterfloods

• Please check our Facebook Page for more updates and we’ll also try and update our Twitter page @virt_lancaster Please note virtual-lancaster is run by volunteers and we are all affected by power cuts, but we’re doing our best to keep you updated

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