Flood-hit families call for action as downpour wipes out their gardens

Families are calling for action after the weekend downpour flooded their gardens and paths, threatening to invade their homes.

Part of Baddeley Green Lane in Baddeley Green was submerged as the area was affected by hours of rain.

One resident revealed that the rain turned his garden steps into a 'raging torrent' so strong that an Olympic canoeist could have gone rowing.

Now residents living near the flood-affected area are asking Stoke-on-Trent City Council for a long-term solution.

On Saturday, the local authority pumped water from the area as residents say they were left with a major cleanup operation.

Matthew Jones says the problems started seven years ago.

The 46-year-old blames the vents between Leek New Road and his home, which are littered like tree roots that have damaged drains.

This means that excess water runs into the girdle across the road from your house, which you cannot cope with.

Matthew has constantly complained to the local authority, but says the problem still exists and feels that he is being misled.

He said: "We've always had a little problem. All the grates from my house to the A53 (Leek New Road) are full. Tree roots have damaged the grates and the drains have collapsed.

"All the water comes to this grate across the road from my house. The water meets the lowest point where the road plunges. Once the grate is blocked, it just piles up. Cars go by.

"I had knee-deep water in my driveway on Saturday. I went to try to tidy up the grate at 6pm. I thought it was going to get into my house. Every drain has been blocked from my house to Leek New Road."

Matthew says he didn't know how bad the flood was when he bought the house.

He said: "This is the first time it has happened since the same time last year. During the winter it usually happens two or three times and I have had to take days off.

"The city council needs to fix the drains. From the point of view of the road, it is very dangerous. Someone will die. But until something tragic happens, they will do nothing about it.

"There were two vehicles here Saturday night pumping some water. But we need a long-term solution.

"The floods on Saturday damaged my yard and the back steps. They cleaned the pedestal on the bottom step and dug a hole in the ground. It was such a raging torrent. You could have had Olympic canoeists on it.

“There is only one accumulation of water every time the drains are blocked. The roads know it's a problem, but they don't have the budget for it.

"I have no plans to move, but how could I sell my house in this state?"

Matthew spent more than three hours Sunday morning cleaning up the mess left by Saturday's floods. And when the heavens opened on Sunday afternoon, he again had to try to unblock the drain in front of his house. But again his driveway and garage were flooded.

He said, "The road is a lake. This can't go on. I can't go on doing this. I don't dare to go anywhere when it starts to rain.
“If he ever comes home I don't know what I'm going to do.

"I have been in contact with Highways for seven years, but nothing has happened. I feel like they are cheating me. I have tried to give them a full idea of ​​how bad it is, but I seem to get nowhere."

Neighbor Jason Williams, 51, said: "Every time it rains we are in pins. Matt has been on them many times. We feel like they don't care. It's a major cleanup every time.

"The flooding on Saturday has ruined my garage floor. I have had many properties ruined over the years.

"Our houses lean and the water runs through our yards into the back yards of the Malcolm Close properties."

Janet Parr, 56, of Malcolm Close, said: "I have lived here my whole life and for the last 10 years or so it has gone from bad to worse.

"Saturday was terrible. I've never seen anything like it in my life. It was terrifying.

"I made a call to the city hall as soon as the water started entering my garden on Saturday. My yard fills up like a pond. When it rains, I think, 'Here we go again.'

"The council must act now. We cannot continue to live like this. The problem must be solved."

On Saturday night, the local authority road team went to the area to unblock several drains.

Ward Councilman Dave Evans contacted the team after being contacted by several local residents.

He said: "I called the highway team and the team principal James Harper came out. They were contacted at 7pm and probably here at 7:30 pm so I have James to thank as he is a true advocate for the service. and very proactive.Two tanker trucks came out to deal with that.

Councilor Evans, who is seeking updates on work to improve the area, said: "We have some major drainage issues at Baddeley Green as there is an outdated infrastructure. It is not only on Baddeley Green Lane, but also in the area of Braithwell Drive. It rains more and we've lost green space, and we added that aging infrastructure. I'm grateful to the highway team for responding Saturday night. "

Meanwhile, the city council has confirmed that the road team visited the area on Saturday and arranged to 'clean the gullies' again on Monday. In addition, the local authority says it is arranging a meeting with Severn Trent Water so that the local flood officer and highway team can "assess current conditions" in the area.

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