Cirencester residents hit out over lack of flood support (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Cirencester residents hit out over lack of flood support

6:30pm Friday 11th January 2013 in News By Laura Shack

AS CIRENCESTER mops up after its second flooding disaster in the same number of months, residents have complained that help did not come fast enough.

In the Estcote Road and Hereward Road area, residents could do little as sewage water poured out of drains and manhole covers before Christmas.

Estcote Road resident Katie Cluett said: "We didn’t really know what we were doing and couldn’t get through to anyone for help. Eventually it came but we were on our own for a few days. We need clearer information on what to do if it happens again."

Cirencester Town Council’s chief executive officer Andrew Tubb said key information was available on the council’s website and CTC and Cotswold District Council officers were out responding to concerns every day over the holiday period.

Where other Cotswold town councils formed effective action groups in the wake of the 2007 floods, a voluntary flood response group and plan is still in the process of being developed in Cirencester.

Mr Tubb said council officers and the Environment Agency regularly cleared the River Churn where it flowed through council land while other areas, such as at Corinium Gate, were the responsibility of the respective landowners, including homeowners.

He added that a formal town council emergency duty team would soon be created and residents consulted.

To volunteer for Cirencester’s flood response group, contact Jamie Walton at the town council on 01285 655646.