Villagers in Coney Weston, near Bury St Edmunds, call on Suffolk County Council to find solution to flood water problem

Villagers are calling on authorities to find a permanent solution to a drain blockage that has caused their driveways to flood.

Last week’s heavy rain left some Coney Weston residents with their feet under water – and although Suffolk County Council teams have now cleared the deluge, worries remain that the problem will return.

At the epicentre is Andy Betts, who lives at the bottom of the hill that characterises The Street. He said: “The water flows down The Street and into the pond (near his house) as the drains are broken or blocked. The pond overflows and water rises to 2ft outside our homes.

“(Water) comes into our garden and laps up against our house. We have managed to mostly keep it out, although the carpet has got damp.”

Mr Betts experienced similar floods in 2015 and when the water is at these heights he cannot open his front door, but can exit through the rear and wade through. Things were made worse, he said, by the wash caused by passing cars.

“For five days we were calling authorities but no one did anything,” he said. “In the end we caused enough of a furore for them to send out two large pumping lorries. The team was very helpful, but for the council it is a box ticking exercise and not a permanent solution. I don’t mind how they do it, I just want them to fix it as it will rain again.”

Flood water has been cleared from the lowest point of the village but remains on fields on higher parts, making surrounding roads difficult to negotiate. Coney Weston residents have written to their local county councillors on the issue and have called for the road to be closed by police when waters are high to prevent the potentially damaging wash effect. The parish council is also rallying for improvements.

Nigel Armes, another resident of The Street, said: “This is not a straightforward flood due to heavy rain, but a problem created by Suffolk County Council not clearing a blocked drain. This issue has been dragging on for four or five years and recent floods has just caused unnecessary anxiety.”

Suffolk County Council said: “To ensure the existing system at this location is working as well as it can, we have arranged for the ditches to be cleansed. Whilst this is a temporary measure, we are aware that a longer-term solution will be required. Unfortunately, our teams are currently dealing with a high number of locations where there is risk of property flooding, which remains our priority.

"Where there is an emergency, such as flooding to property, we encourage residents to report it to us by calling 0345 606 6171."

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