Dozens of angry residents attended a meeting in Brent Knoll this week to air their concerns about flooding problems in the village.
Over 80 villagers attended Monday’s public meeting after heavy rain flooded roads and properties, including the Red Cow Inn over the winter.
Resident Andrew Warren said: “I had thousands of gallons of water and sewage in my house and garden, causing considerable damage. The real frustration is that there is no single central organisation to sort it out. There are so many groups involved – from local councils through to the Environment Agency, water firms and drainage board – that there is no co-ordinated response. We just want an assurance that work will be carried out to stop similar floods happening agin.”
Iain Sturdy from the Axe Brue Drainage Board, pictured right, explained why Brent Knoll was badly hit: “Many drainage pipes in Brent Knoll are old and suffer from accumulations of debris given the low gradients here. They struggle to take away water after heavy rain. Rhynes also need vegetation removed and to be regularly de-silted.”
He went on to explain the network of drains across the area, which were overwhelmed by the amount of flood water over the winter months.
Other villagers who spoke out included Martin Moor, who had five inches of water in his home, and Maurice Jackson, whose home was inundated in the floods.
A follow-on meeting is being organised between residents and the parish and district councils, Environment Agency and Axe Brue Drainage Board.
Underground photos of drains in Brent Knoll blocked by debris were shown
The topography of Brent Knoll and its surrounding area was discussed
Flooding in Brent Knoll last winter
