Efforts commence to resolve persistent flooding under Thurmaston railway bridge

Initial efforts have begun to address the ongoing issue of flooding beneath a railway bridge. Church Hill Road in Thurmaston, Leicestershire, has long been recognized as a frequent flooding location. Following significant rainfall in September, local residents urged authorities to take action to resolve the problem. On Monday, highways teams initiated drain clearing and conducted surveys in the vicinity of the bridge. Leicestershire County Council described the problem as “complex” and indicated it is evaluating various options for a long-term resolution. Residents had previously informed the BBC that the flooding posed a “risk,” citing instances of children observed crossing the railway line above the road to avoid a detour. The current work is being carried out along a drainage system situated alongside the railway line, on property owned by Network Rail. A spokesperson for the council confirmed that the rail firm has “so far” granted the council complimentary access to this land. County councillor Brenda Seaton commented on the impact, stating: “When the road floods people have to make quite a long detour instead of going under the bridge and it is felt. It basically cuts Thurmaston off.” The local authority noted that the site has a history of flooding during adverse weather conditions, though water had previously receded within a few days. Despite prior work undertaken by the council, the road re-flooded within hours, prompting continued investigations to determine effective water clearance methods, according to the council. A council spokesperson further elaborated: “A number of options are being considered as part of long-term plans to resolve the issues of flooding, but will we not know any detail, or which options are most suitable or affordable, until we have completed our investigations.” A Network Rail spokesperson affirmed close collaboration with the council, providing access to the firm’s land. They added: “This will allow them to conduct detailed surveys and carry out drain jetting this week, with the aim of clearing the floodwater. By supporting these efforts, we hope to help find a lasting solution that benefits all the communities involved.”