'Painfully slow' progress for Leighton Buzzard flood victims - and some still in temporary accommodation

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It’s claimed that there has been a "painfully slow" rate of progress to provide meaningful help to Leighton Buzzard residents who were badly affected by flooding earlier this year.

Christmas decorations are limited or non-existent for Leighton Buzzard residents still coping with the aftermath of flooded homes in January, a meeting heard.

Progress in offering financial help and analysing longer term alleviation schemes is “painfully slow”, Central Bedfordshire Council’s Leighton-Linslade partnership committee was told.

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A Waterdell resident who has suffered two flooding incidents in his road this year said: “I and many of my neighbours are still living with the devastation of the floods.

Flooding in Waterdell during September. Image supplied by: Debbie Ward.Flooding in Waterdell during September. Image supplied by: Debbie Ward.
Flooding in Waterdell during September. Image supplied by: Debbie Ward.

“We’re still not back in our homes. We’re living in temporary accommodation or in flooded properties. What plans are in place to mitigate the risk for us as householders as we enter the wet season?” he asked.

“We need some solutions immediately. What’s in place to stop this happening again? Nothing? We need infrastructure such as pumps, flood gates, barriers and road closure signs.

“There are no Christmas lights in my house this year. I’m spending my Christmas in a back bedroom in a family home. We need some action now. We’re living in the devastation of this.

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“If we’re talking two or three years for any flood alleviation, what are we going to do? We’re trying to rebuild our homes. I want some funding.”

Liberal Democrat Leighton Linslade South councillor Chris Leaman, who chairs the committee, replied: The reaction hasn’t been good enough. It’s painfully slow.

“I share your frustration, but it’s probably not possible at the level you feel. You’ve been treated quite unacceptably at times. We’ve certain levers we can use.

“I’m frustrated people aren’t here tonight to answer your questions and that you haven’t been told what the plan is. It’s all very well having flood summits, but there has to be engagement with the public from agency partners, and a willingness to speak to them and answer their questions.

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“There must be facilities to protect their homes. There’s a need for short-term measures to protect you this winter.”

Independent Leighton Linslade West councillor Victoria Harvey said the committee will chase the Environment Agency “like crazy”, although acknowledged “its funding has been cut by two thirds since 2010”.

She accused CBC senior management of preventing their flood risk officer coming to a meeting with the agency, adding: “They’re not being proactive. There should have been a meeting before Christmas.

“The agency has so few staff. People just don’t know the area. Nobody knows the detail and this is all about that detail. We also need to chase Anglian Water, as it couldn’t find its sewers.”

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The committee was told the Environment Agency has some sophisticated mapping exercises, and it hopes to share some findings with the lead flood authority, CBC, and Anglian Water before Christmas.

Another Waterdell resident explained: “When it’s flooded, people who don’t know that are driving down roads and it’s creating waves.

“The response was too slow coming out with road block signage. We had to park our own cars to block the road to prevent further flooding, while putting our lives at risk. We shouldn’t be doing that.”

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