AREAS of north Wiltshire, including Malmesbury, have been put under a flood alert after torrential rain caused water levels to rise dramatically.

The River Avon was close to bursting its banks today in Malmesbury, this is despite £30,000-worth of investment into the towns flood defences in the past year which saw the Avon de-silted for 100m downstream of the Town Bridge.

Town councillor Ray Sanderson was mayor during the floods in 2012 and he subsequently set up the Malmesbury Flood Working Group, which he chairs.

He went down to check water levels on Monday morning after the heavy rain on Sunday and described the situation as “a bit grim”.

He went on to say only one of the three sluice gates at Cowbridge is currently operational, as the other two are in the process of being renovated.

Cllr Sanderson said: “Its sods law they haven’t been completely fixed yet.”

He added: “I think the sluice will stand up to the [weather].”

Edward Evans, an expert in flooding from Great Somerford, is a member of the flood group and has been helping develop ideas for flood defences in the town.

He said people living in Malmesbury need to accept they are living in an area that will always be a flood risk.

“The town will get flooded,” he said. “The old town was on top of hill but expanded down to the swampy bits. It’s basically in a bad place.

“As far as flooding goes, houses in the lower lying part of the town are going to get flooded.”

Edward went on to say Wiltshire Council should be commended for the benefits the £30,000 spent on widening the river in the town have had, but insists nothing will ever “do the trick” in Malmesbury.

“We’ve long awaited a report from the Environment Agency, which will be an important landmark,” he said.

“They’ve been working on it for two or three years and it was promised last October.

“The final report is being passed around Wiltshire Council now and it will give an insight into what can be done, for example lowering Cowbridge weir.”

Malmesbury resident Tamara Tanner, 19, says she doesn’t feel the updated flood defences have helped the situation.

“It happens nearly every year around this time, when the weather turns bad,” she said.

“A few years ago it was an extremely regular view with the houses around it constantly getting flooded to the point one year families who lived there had to spend Christmas away from their homes.

“I believe last year they took some steps to insure that it wouldn't happen to that extent again but I don't believe it's done much good because we haven't had as much rain as previous years.

“It's already just a matter of time before history repeats itself.”

If residents have serious concerns regarding flooding they can contact the Wiltshire Council by leaving details at wiltshire.gov.uk/mywilts, using the MyWilts app, or calling 0300 4560105.