Croydon and Surrey ask Government for £1m for flood damage repair. Photo: Bob Embelton

Croydon and Surrey councils have launched a bid to persuade the Government to provide £1m to repair damage from recent flooding.

The two councils have lobbied the Government for £1m to fund a long-term flood prevention plan, which would protect thousands of homes and businesses along the London border near Surrey.

The grant, which is supported by the Environment Agency, would build up to four permanent reservoirs to provide flood relief.

In February Croydon Council leader, Mike Fisher, announced that the council would give every business affected by the floods in Purley and Kenley £1,000 worth of compensation and a three-month rebate on their business rates. This is in line with the payouts that were granted to businesses affected by the riots.

Residents who were evacuated from their homes because of flooding also received a three-month rebate on their council tax.

Fisher said: “Despite everyone’s hard work there are some residents and businesses still counting the cost of damage to property and loss of trade.”

A press officer for Surrey County Council, said: “It is a joint project because the affected area is cross-border. It is one project, so no split in practical terms.

“The worst-affected areas from February border the Thames Runnymede, Spelthorne and Elmbridge districts, plus Mole Valley, Waverley and Guildford districts were affected over Christmas.”

Fisher added: “The team responsible for managing the recent situation proved through various temporary measures how effective the use of reservoirs can be. Putting in permanent solutions has to be our next priority as we have a responsibility to protect the safety of local people.”

The date for the government to make a funding decision has yet to be set. Council experts will start work on detailed designs and locations if funding is approved.