Thames Water urged to act over recent floods
by Hammersmith and Fulham Press Office
17/06/2008
H and F is continuing to put pressure on Thames Water to investigate and repair the problems that caused widespread flooding on Askew Road and other parts of the borough last summer.
Last July’s flash floods saw many homes swallowed up by up to four feet of water. The flooding caused extensive damage to properties and vehicles with drains unable to cope with the runoff of torrential rains. Thames Water has still not got to the bottom of the problem.
Cllr Nick Botterill, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Environment said: “The Council and Thames Water have been in extensive discussions and we have been pressing for action on the various problems to do with flooding in the Askew Road area for a long period of time. There are few experiences worse than being flooded, especially within the home and we urge Thames Water to carry out remedial work as soon as possible.”
The capital has the greatest number of properties at risk of internal flooding from sewers in England and Wales and the problems is particularly profound in H&F where the silting up of drains is of particular concern.
Problems are due to the ever increasing demands placed upon the network, much of which was constructed in Victorian times. Increasing housing density and changing weather patterns, with more intense summer storms, add to the problem.
The council is also urging people affected by last year’s floods to contact Thames Water as a matter of urgency. With the company planning for the future and looking into expanding the Hammersmith branch of the local sewer, they are keen to hear from anyone who has been flooded in the past.
Cllr Botterill, added: “Although the floods occurred 12 months back it is still not too late to have your say. If people do not contact Thames Water they will not know how bad the problems were and will not act to get them fixed. We will be continuing to press Thames Water into making the vital improvements but residents would be helping us if they were to contact them too.”
Call Thames Water on 0845 9200 800 to have your say.
