Page 13 - link magazine

swindonlink.com • July 2010 13
Westlea flood defences strengthened
Work to improve water flow in Westlea brook has been completed and Westlea Drive has been reopened after a 14 week closure.
Following floods to homes in Moresby "Residents living closeby have taken a
and Benwell Close in 2007 and 2008, the keen interest and there have been no com-
£300,000 project to reprofile the stream plaints. In fact we've been asked if Westlea
bed and build a new tunnel, the capacity Drive could be kept closed because the area
of the culvert to drain flood water has been is now so quiet."
increased by 60 per cent. Swindon councillor for Westlea Mary
Design engineer from Halcrow Steve Martin said, "two consecutive years of
Whitehead said the contract had gone very 'once in a 100 years' floods and pressure
smoothly and he congratulated Britannia from residents drove this package of flood
Construction for getting the job done on relief measures. Some residents of Benwell
time and on budget. Close are worried that this work could result
Swindon Council construction engineer in increased flood risk downstream though
Liz Baldwin agreed. "The design and con- we've been assured by the Environmental
struction teams have worked very well Agency that it will not. I will be keeping a
together. close eye on the site."

Haydon flood third anniversary review called for
Paul Crouch from Abbey Meads has written to North Swindon MP Justin Tomlinson and Haydon Wick councillors suggesting the third anniver-
sary of the dramatic floods on 20 July 2007 would be a good time to get a report from the Environment Agency on their plans for Haydon Brook.
Dozens of houses in Haydon throughout the area, should there haveworkedhardwithThamesWa- ing work has been carried out but
Wickwerebadly flooded and earlier be another deluge." ter, the Environment Agency, Swin- much more still needs to be done to
this year a well received £10 million Sue Martin, clerk to Haydon don Council's drainage engineers, ensure peace of mind for residents
scheme by Thames Water to replace Wick parish council, said the En- the parish council and residents to living close to the areas susceptible
and enlarge sewage pipes to allevi- vironment Agency assessment had deliver improvements to the foul to flooding.
ate the 'brown water' flooding was been studied by parish councillors. water and surface water systems. "Swindon Council will contrib-
completed. They have expressed concern about "Thames Water and their con- ute towards the proposed scheme
However, Mr Crouch complains, the lack of action since 2007, and that tractor Murphy's did a superb job and we are expecting a positive
"apart from numerous inspections the report does not take into account to address the foul water issues. decision from the Environment
and surveys very little has actu- the 2008 flood, nor make clear pro- But we are very concerned that Agency in July.
ally been physically done by the posals for future maintenance after the Environment Agency commit "If the project receives approval,
Environment Agency to reduce the proposed remedial works. to deliver the improvement works we will arrange a meeting for resi-
threat of Haydon Wick brook once Swindon councillor David Re- we believe are needed to Haydon dents to see the final plans and push
againbursting its banks and causing nard said, "since the 2007 floods Wick brook and Hayclonleigh drain. to get the works delivered as soon
widespread surface flood damage the Haydon Wick Ward councillors, "Some clearance and engineer- as possible."

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