Call To Help At-Risk Flood Homes
Mon 20th Apr 09 - 10:09

People in Berkshire whose homes were classified three years ago as being at "significant" risk of flooding say they have had little advice since.

Residents of Woodley and Lower Earley in the Loddon Valley are calling on the Environment Agency, Wokingham Borough Council and Thames Water to help them.

They say they need help before homes are flooded, not once it is too late.

A council spokesman said preventative work had begun in areas flooded in 2007 and this would extend to more sites.

Flooding across Berkshire in July 2007 affected more than 2,500 properties during the UK's wettest summer on record.

The Environment Agency classified homes in the Lower Loddon area as being at significant risk from flooding in February 2006.

Phiala Mehring, who is leading the Loddon Valley Residents' Association campaign, said her home was not affected in 2007 but said many residents like her needed help before it was too late.

"Despite this unpleasant promotion in status, we are receiving no help in protecting our homes, either financial or practical," she said.

"We have not flooded yet and we do not want to flood but the water is gradually creeping up year on year.

"But nothing happens automatically, you have to push and cajole to get anything done."

The residents are holding a public meeting on Friday to discuss an action plan ahead of a meeting with the Environment Agency, council and Thames Water next week.

Ms Mehring said residents were calling on the three organisations to increase work on their separate remits, including clearing culverts, roadside gullies and drains, clearing and maintaining the river and putting up flood barriers.

Flood fair

The Environment Agency and Thames Water declined to comment until after the meeting.

Mark Moon, head of neighbourhood and places at Wokingham Borough Council, said the council had been working closely with the community, the Environment Agency and Thames Water since the 2007 floods.

He said the council had received £310,000 from central government to target areas that suffered internal property flooding.

He added preventative drainage work in badly-hit areas had also begun and this would eventually extend to 15 different sites.

Work to review cleansing of the borough's 26,000 gullies and grilles has also taken place and is being increased as necessary.

A "flood fair" in collaboration with the Environment Agency had also been held in October, he said.

Vie the original article.

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