Statement from council leader about the ongoing incident near RAF Fairford
Statement from Cotswold District Council leader Mike Evemy:
“Supporting residents affected by the incident in Whelford remains our immediate priority. A total of 85 households were evacuated, and at its peak around 60 people were being supported at our rest centre at Cirencester Leisure Centre We are also moving the rest centre to the council offices, where our teams will continue to provide food, drink, information and support as needed.
“We also arranged hotel accommodation for 28 people.
“Since the evacuation, our teams have been working to make sure everyone affected has somewhere safe to go and receives the practical support they need. At the rest centre, we have provided food and drink and additional support for those who are vulnerable. We have also helped ensure residents can access essential medication, and liaised closely with the police to help make sure pets left behind in evacuated homes are being looked after.
“At this stage, we have not been given confirmation of when residents will be able to return home. As a precaution, we are making arrangements to extend hotel accommodation for those who need it so everyone has somewhere to stay until we know more.
“We are also moving the rest centre to the council offices at Trinity Road in Cirencester, where our teams will continue to provide food, drink, information and support as needed. All the evacuated residents are being made aware of this change as well as other relevant updates.
“We completely understand that this is an unsettling situation for residents, particularly when they do not know when they will be able to return home. We will keep people updated as soon as we receive further information and would encourage everyone affected to continue to follow official advice.
“I want to thank residents for their patience and cooperation during what is understandably a difficult and unsettling time. I’d also like to thank the police, our other multi-agency partners, council teams and everyone involved in the response for their continued hard work and commitment to supporting our community.”
“Our focus is on looking after our residents and making sure they have the support they need for as long as this situation continues.”