A shocking sight of “turds” floating in floodwater at one of Leominster’s main approach roads should help press home demands for urgent improvements to the town’s drainage system.
Concerns over flooding and drainage have kept this subject high on Leominster Town Council’s agenda since torrential rain wreaked havoc in summer 2007. But now local people are dismayed to hear that plans for upgrading sewage pipes will have to be put on hold for at least another three years. Town councillors received reports at their latest meeting from a local man who fears that flooding in Leominster could be “far worse” in future.
Ian Savagar believed the whole of the town could be affected by flooding in the future, and blamed the situation on a partly upgraded system. He claimed that newer underground pipes had a larger circumference than the older ones.
“It all stems from the fact that the sewage works haven’t been upgraded in accord with the expansion of the town,” he said. “It’s like trying to put a quart into a pint pot.”
New sewage pipes have been installed near the railway station, where flood water collects after heavy rainfall, the meeting was told.
But problems have developed where new piping meets the new system, claimed Mr Savagar.
“There’s sufficient pressure to lift manhole covers,” he said. On one occasion, 18 inches of sewage was deposited in the road, it was claimed. Deputy mayor Councillor Richard Westwood was concerned that sewage was at times visible at one of the main entrances to the town.
“There’s a mix of foul water and storm water, and turds have been seen floating in the water at one of the main approaches to the town, and that just cannot be allowed to carry on.”
Councillor Janet Atkinson said she “complained and complained” about drainage in Etnam Street during the years she lived there. “I think every drain in the street was blocked,” she said.
Mr Savagar claimed that both Welsh Water and the Environment Agency admitted there was a problem, but he understood that due to financial constrictions any plans to improve the system at Leominster would have to be put on hold for now.
“They said it may be included in the next budget in 2012,” he told councillors.
Herefordshire Council engineer Martin Jackson told last month’s council meeting that officers were scheduled to meet Environment Agency representatives in Monmouth next month.
Said Councillor Roger Hunt: “A meeting has been organised in early January with the River Lugg Drainage Board, and there are arrangements for a consultant to start the ball rolling.
“This is a really big issue with no funding until 2012. I don’t think we can afford to wait that long.”
