People in a flood-hit village have been left feeling ‘very vulnerable,’ a resident has told councillors – as another ‘flood season’ starts with an important defence still blocked.
More than 1,000 people signed a petition earlier in July calling on the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead to unblock a watercourse in Wraysbury, which was flooded in January.
Simon Williamson, a resident, demanded answers from councillors on what the Royal Borough is doing to unblock the stream – known as the Wraysbury Drain – four months on.
He told councillors: “We’re at the beginning of the flood season now and residents feel very vulnerable given the extensive flooding last January, and the fact that we absolutely had no flood defences at all for Wraysbury.”
READ MORE: Wraysbury Drain: lack of staff slows progress on unblocking
As many as 1,329 people signed the petition in July demanding that the council unblock the Wraysbury Drain.
The 200-year-old watercourse runs from near Wraysbury train station to the Thames in Hyde End and should be an important run-off for flood water. But it has been blocked for four years by debris, roots and gravel.
Mr Williamson demanded answers from councillors at a meeting on Wednesday, November 20. Councillor Richard Coe – responsible for flooding and enforcement – told him the council was working with landowners to unblock the Wraysbury Drain at two points.
He said the landowner at one of the blockages – construction company Ardmore – had suggested diverting the course of the stream. He said the council is exploring this but the flow of water may not be restored there until summer 2025.
READ MORE: Council faces questions over Wraysbury flood support
Councillor Coe said another blockage further downstream at Feather’s Lane is more ‘complex’ as ‘half a dozen homes’ have been built there with planning permission.
He added that the Royal Borough can only deal with the blockages one at a time as it has just one member of staff responsible for drainage and enforcement.
He said: “This has just gone on and on and I don’t think that you can allow individuals and businesses to block an ordinary watercourse.
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“You – the lead local flood authority – have the powers to deal with the problem. You have powers of enforcement and you have powers to permit.”
But councillor Coe said discussions with Ardmore had been ‘positive’, while enforcement action can take ‘up to 18 months or more’.
He said: “The conversations with this landowner to date have been positive however the council reserves its right to use its enforcement powers if appropriate. Currently, it is not appropriate as the landowner has been co-operating with officers to date.”
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