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DEEP WATER: Council ‘fail to act’ on flood hotspot in Chalfont St Peter

 Published on: 11th November 2019   |   By: News Desk   |   Category: Uncategorized

Parents are concerned that Buckinghamshire County Council are putting children at risk as they attempt to avoid pools of water in Chalfont St Peter.

Last month heavy rainfall at Welders Lane at the junction with Narcot Lane flooded a large stretch of road and pavement, meaning children going to the nearby school were forced to put themselves in danger to get to school.

Jennifer McDonnell, from Oval Way, said the council had “failed to act” on requests to repair the drains over the past five years.

She said: “Schoolchildren are being forced to walk to school through deep water because the council can’t quickly unblock a drain. 

“Some children are having to wear wellies to school and are at risk of being hit by cars as they avoid the huge lake in the road or get drenched by passing vehicles.”

Matthew Altass, who walks his four children to a nearby school, said he has been lobbying the council to act on the issue.

He said: “Every time it rains – doesn’t have to be heavy – the road builds up with water with service water. I’ve sent pictures and videos numerous times to the council and Cheryl Gillan (MP for The Chalfonts) of the matter but have never had a response. 

“The council should have child road safety at the top of the agenda. The water would cover my children’s shoes and boots. I walk my children about 200m to school, and I don’t really want to drive them to school as we’re supposed to be saving the planet.

“Around 1,800 children got to the community college and a lot of them walk from the village. There needs to be some traffic calming measures like when you travel from (Chalfont) St Giles but the council won’t pay for it.”

Dave Roberts, network strategy manager at Buckinghamshire County Council, said the council is aware of the issue and sent a team to conduct an “emergency road closure” to rectify the issue.

He said: “Transport for Buckinghamshire is aware of the reported issue on Welders Lane.

“The recent flooding incident was the result of unprecedented heavy rain fall and debris blocking the pipes. There were works programmed for this location to rectify the issue in order to prevent this from happening again. 

“These took place on Thursday, October 24 under an emergency road closure.”

Children attending Chalfonts Community College will hopefully not have to tackle this issue for the foreseeable future.

Local MP Dame Cheryl Gillan is aware of the issue according to Jennifer but again, the problem is yet to be resolved.

ChalfontsNews has approached her office for comment.

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