Resident reports river leakage affecting garden and rented land; Authorities present conflicting views on source

A homeowner has stated that no action has been taken to address a leak from a nearby river that has inundated his garden. Robert Hales, a resident living near Stanstead Abbotts, also indicated that the river’s leakage extends to an adjacent field he leases from the water company. Thames Water and Hertfordshire County Council have offered divergent perspectives regarding the origin of the flooding. Mr. Hales, aged 80, expressed concern that a breach in the riverbank would result in a “catastrophe” for the village. Living on Amwell Lane, adjacent to the New River, Mr. Hales recounted that a surveyor informed him his property is situated at the lowest elevation in Hertfordshire. He described the current situation, stating, “It stinks at the moment,” attributing the odor to the stagnant water. He has expended £160 on a pump to remove water from the field and possesses an additional £40 pump for draining his back garden. Mr. Hales, who owns three gun dogs, utilizes the 1.4-acre field for their training. Thames Water reported that its preliminary investigations indicated blocked roadside gullies, potentially contributing to the problem. The utility company stated its intention to conduct a dye test to help ascertain if the river is a contributing element. It further commented: “Local authorities are responsible for keeping gullies and ditches clear and we have reported this issue to the council.” Conversely, Hertfordshire County Council asserted its belief that the flooding on Amwell Lane stemmed from a blockage within a culvert and drainage ditch, a land parcel not under its ownership. The council confirmed that its personnel inspected the location in May and performed drain cleaning in mid-September. A spokesperson for the council remarked: “We appreciate that this is a frustrating situation for the residents affected, and we will continue to work with the other organisations with a responsibility here to try and ensure that the whole drainage system is working as intended.” East Herts Council was also contacted for a statement. News for the Beds, Herts, and Bucks regions is available on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram, and X. This content is copyrighted by BBC 2024, with all rights reserved. The BBC disclaims responsibility for the content found on external websites and provides information regarding its policy on external linking.