Hitchin Flood Victims Demand Winter Prevention Measures

Residents who experienced severe flooding in September are calling for immediate remedial work to prevent a recurrence during the upcoming winter. In Hitchin, Hertfordshire, dozens of families were displaced from their homes after the River Purwell overflowed its banks, and several individuals continue to reside in temporary accommodation. A collective of neighbours, who have formed the Hitchin Flood Action Committee, is urging Hertfordshire County Council, the Environment Agency, and Anglian Water to take action. The council stated that the Environment Agency has secured funding for work “to remove blockages, vegetation, and trees that could potentially cause problems,” with the goal of completing it over the winter period. These appeals echo a similar plea made by affected residents at a meeting held in late September. The agency informed the BBC that the flooding in Hitchin was primarily caused by intense rainfall, with some locations recording more than double the average monthly rainfall for September in a single day. Heavy precipitation in late September and early October resulted in widespread flooding across large areas of Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire. Jay Cooper, who has been advised that she will be out of her home for at least six months, mentioned that the campaign group has been advocating for remedial work, including river clearance and drainage maintenance. “We’re at the beginning of winter, basically,” she said. Cooper questioned, “What’s the likelihood that we’re going to have another severe weather event in December, January or February?” Jacob Shaw’s residence was also inundated. It is still drying out, but extensive repair work remains to be done. “It’s not been the best time,” he commented. “Obviously you just want to be home really.” Detailing the necessary repairs, he added, “We’ve got the floors to do, the tiling – through the bathroom and in the kitchen. Units and cabinets in the kitchen need replacing.. and then we’re going to get redecoration throughout the downstairs.” Regarding the threat of further wet weather, he emphasized: “We just really need the authorities to work together, we need people visible. This situation has to be resolved.” Just a short distance away, Walsworth Community Centre also suffered flooding. The parquet floor was destroyed, and the hall cannot be utilized until at least next year. This situation has forced many small businesses to cancel classes and groups. Hannah Fraser, who taught two yoga classes at the hall, has had to relocate to a different venue. “I had to cancel classes for a couple of weeks, which had a huge impact on my revenue at that time… even now I’m only able to offer one class,” she stated. Fraser further noted, “I know there are others. This isn’t big businesses that are making lots of profit. It’s lots of small, community based organisations that are having to slow down or stop what they are doing because of the flooding.” A spokesperson for the Environment Agency remarked: “There is little that can be done to prevent such flooding in such extreme events. However, it is possible to reduce the impact by fitting flood barriers to doorways, airbricks and windows. We will be working with Hertfordshire County Council to see if any of these methods are appropriate in Hitchin and whether funding may be available. We’re also planning further vegetation clearance this month which will improve conveyance in the channel.” Anglian Water reported that a local team was involved in clean-up operations at more than 60 properties in the area. The county council indicated that a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the flooding in Hitchin is currently in progress. A spokesperson added: “This will include talking to residents impacted, the Environment Agency, Anglian Water, North Herts District Council, and other agencies and partners involved in the response phase of the flooding.” They stated that a report would be published, which would identify “the organisation that is responsible for the type of flooding and set out the findings to help them shape their next actions.”