LAST month, heavy rainfall saw Calne experience extreme flooding as some residents in Horsebrook and Mill Street suddenly became aware of their homes filling up with water and sewage - no warnings had been issued by the Environment Agency.
It was the second time the homes have experienced flooding this year, the first was in January when Storm Henk caused torrential rains and the river to overflow - prior to these events you would have to go back 43 years to read of flooding in this area.
We spoke to two homeowners in Mill Street who have turned detective to try and understand why this is happening and what measures can be taken to avoid it happening again.
Kevin Wells told us: "We moved into Mill Street in 1981 and over the years have survived many very heavy downfalls unscathed by flooding, until this year. A number of houses were flooded in January and now, again, this week.
"I am convinced that a contributory reason for the flooding is the building that has been allowed off Low Lane without making adequate provision for the loss of flood plains. This has resulted in huge volumes of run-off water funnelling into the centre of town and Mill Street, in particular, is suffering the consequences!
"I am not an engineer, but clearly the situation cannot continue, a long term solution has to be found."
Kevin's neighbour Lucette Rees lives at the bottom of the Proclamation Steps, when Storm Henk struck in January, the manhole cover outside her home came off with the sheer pressure of the built-up water. The rain simply had nowhere to go - Abberd Brook becomes so full as it meets the River Marden, it backs up and floods, the drains can't cope. Lucette told us: "Wessex Water told us at the time that it was an 'extreme weather event' they came out and carried out reparation work and said the drains were fine."
On 23rd September exactly the same thing happened again when storm water with sewage flooded the homes in Mill Street, Lucette recalls the evening: "My husband was watching the television in the sitting room, and I just noticed a wave of water rising across the carpet - it happened that quickly and was rising all the time. Even with deep cleaning which Wessex Water sorted, they were very prompt with coming to our aid, but the smell and furniture are ruined.
"In 25 years this hasn't happened but this year two events. We can't get home insurance any more because of the flooding, there are two homes here that people can't sell, the impact is far-reaching."
Cllr Robert MacNaughton visited the areas worst hit by the floods the following day, he was joined by Calne's MP Sarah Gibson. They visited Helen Simmonds who lives at Swaddens Mill, Horsebrook.
Robert told us: "Helen showed Sarah the water marks from both flooding events this year. There are no magic solutions to flooding; just an aggregation of small measures to be taken. The drains looked blocked as we walked down Horsebrook so I messaged the drains team at Wiltshire Council asking for them to be unblocked. They replied saying the drains will now be checked, and unblocked. The big question is why do they check the drains only after an event, and not before?
"Sarah has also tabled a question asking the Department of the Environment why Calne has suddenly been flooded twice this year."
Wessex Water spokesperson said: “Drainage systems carrying floodwater are often interconnected, so we’ve been working closely with Wiltshire Council, who are responsible for highway drains, to help resolve the distressing flooding issues in Calne during the recent storms.”
Calne News approached the developers responsible for some of the new homes which many residents feel have been the root cause of the issue, to ask what preventative measures were taken and what could be done going forward.
A spokesperson for Barrett Homes told us: “At Barratt Redrow we prepare flood risk assessments and produce flood mitigation proposals on all of our sites. Our development at Abberd Lane was built between 2015 and 2019 in line with Wiltshire Council’s planning regulations on surface water management. The site design included surface water management features such as an attenuation basin to help reduce water run-off during periods of peak rainfall. This means that water run-off is in line with pre-development greenfield rates.
We are not aware of any issues with the surface water management systems currently, however, we are happy to inspect the drainage features to ensure they are working as intended.”
Persimmon Wessex said: “Our thoughts are with everyone affected by the recent floods in Calne, during what has been recorded as the wettest September in Southern England since 1918.
“As one of the many housing developers in the area, we can confirm that our development was delivered in full compliance with the approved planning permissions and was signed off by all relevant statutory consultees.
“The drainage strategy for our development reduces the pre-development surface water run-off into the Abberd Brook by the incorporation of SUDs features, including an attenuation basin with a restricted outfall.
“In September alone, Wiltshire received 196.5mm of rainfall, which is more than three times the average amount, according to the Met Office. Sadly, this unprecedented rainfall impacted communities across the county, and our thoughts are once again with those affected.”
As we are only just entering the winter months, inevitably the area will see further heavy rainfalls, now residents are calling for action. Lucette added: "We need to be warned by the Environment Agency when the rivers are rising and floods are likely, the drains outside are blocked so water has less places to go, there are so many different areas need to be looked at to do as much as possible to try and stop this happening."
Cllr Robert MacNaughton echoed these views adding: "I'd like to see Wiltshire Council double the amount of machines they use to clean out the drains and pro-actively and routinely clear the drains, we have to accept flood effects will be more numerous and we need to work together to minimise the damage."
A Wessex Water spokesperson told Calne News: “Drainage systems carrying floodwater are often interconnected, so we’ve been working closely with Wiltshire Council, who are responsible for highway drains, to help resolve the distressing flooding issues in Calne during the recent storms.”
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