Flood victims' fury over lack of action

Richard Cutcher • Published 8 Nov 2011 09:30 5 Comments

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TERRIFIED neighbours say they are still in the dark about the reasons Whitley's flood defences failed them.

When more than two inches of rain fell in just six hours on August 18 it brought a repeat of a four-year-old nightmare for eight Kingsley Close families as water poured into their homes.

Three months earlier a £225,000 flood prevention system had been completed. A borough council report into the failings of the flagship system is due to be published this month and Reading West MP Alok Sharma organised a meeting with residents, the Environment Agency, Thames Water and council officials last week.

All parties admitted the flood defences put in place fixed the problem in the surrounding streets but not in the Kingsley Close cul-de-sac.

John Loukaras, 47, has lived there since 1995 and said: "Yes we have had a meeting but we are still waiting.

"When I wake up at 1am and it is raining heavily I get straight up and move the car. We live in constant fear."

Thelma Kerr is angry at Thames Water for crediting a "token" £150 on its next bill after the flood as part of the company's Customer Guarantee Scheme.

Mrs Kerr said: "That is a slap in the face. I told them at the meeting that if they had sent it as a cheque I would have sent it back or ripped it up.

"I can't live with this notion that my property could be flooded at any moment."

Mr Sharma said: "The key issue for residents is that any recommendations are acted on quickly so that they can return to some normality and have confidence that the likelihood of any future flooding has been greatly mitigated."

Thames Water spokeswoman Natalie Slater said: "The money paid to residents in Kingsley Close was a goodwill gesture to recognise the hassle and stress from the sewer flooding, it in no way accepts liability for the flooding that was caused by heavy rain, or tries to value the amount of damage caused."

This article appeared in Reading Chronicle 03 Nov 11

Have your say. Post a comment on this article.

Mr Whippy
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Nov 8, 09:59
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The local powers-that-be are no doubt too busy investing in the economic essentials of the London Olympics to worry about the concerns of the actual taxpayer. Or in RBC's case some other hare brained politically correct squandering of funds like the Central Club. But that is what you get for living in such a diverse and multi-cultural society is it not?

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C8H10N4O2
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Nov 8, 12:42
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If Thames Water won't voluntarily stump the additional £900 for Insurance of a property considered "at risk of flooding", they should be sued for the consequent losses.

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Conky Joe
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Nov 8, 19:00
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I'm really not sure what all the fuss is about; the residents of Whitley could do with a good wash. Smirk.

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bloggs
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Nov 9, 15:03
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hahaaaa yeh I dislike thames water but why is it only their fault? its the councils AND thames water (for taking too bigger profits without investing enough but instead take the profit and then putting the bills up to pay for stuff like this. Hint hint Super sewer in London. Typical of fat cat greedy guts again. Protest in London, if it bothers you stand up and be counted!

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Bushes Bernal
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Nov 9, 15:28
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Thames Water cannot be held to blame for this; it is the likes of Tony Page and his waterworld crossing schemes who are to blame. Make your voice count in the upcoming public sector strike as we march on Reading and then hold an anti-fast in the local Wetherspoon's establishments cramming as much nosh our beerguts can manage. POWER TO THE PIE PEOPLE!

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