Residents Express “Constant Anxiety” Over Flood Risk

Local residents report experiencing “constant anxiety” about potential flooding in their homes, attributing this concern to insufficient road sweeping frequency, which they believe results in blocked drains. A petition, signed by over 260 individuals, was submitted to Gloucester City Council, requesting a resolution to the issue affecting Baneberry Road. The council stated its commitment to “working hard” on maintaining clear drains and developing “long-term flood alleviation schemes”. A Severn Trent spokesperson confirmed the company is assisting the council’s inquiry into the flooding incidents. Last week, city councillors passed a motion to review road sweeping schedules and drain maintenance in the areas of Matson, Robinswood, and White City, as reported by the Local Democracy Reporting Service. This motion, proposed by Conservative councillor Alastair Chambers, aims to establish a communication channel for residents to report significant accumulations of leaves and waste. Mr. Chambers, who submitted the petition endorsed by 268 individuals, recounted witnessing the floods firsthand and observing residents attempting to remove water from their properties. He commented, “With the increasing frequency of extreme weather events due to climate change, the recurring issue of flooding is a pressing problem.” Residents challenged the council’s assertion that the road undergoes sweeping every two weeks. Sebastian Field, the environment cabinet member, described the situation as “very complex,” explaining that a private firm is responsible for sweeping the street. He added, “It’s not as simple as saying the road is not swept enough.” A spokesperson for Severn Trent indicated that the city council had informed the company about problems related to surface water flooding. They stated, “While we’re not aware of any issues with our network, we’re supporting their investigation into the cause.” A council spokesperson mentioned that over 130,000 drains are cleared annually and urged residents to report concerns through Fix My Street. They further commented, “Alongside partners we work hard on keeping gullies and drains clear across Gloucestershire, as well as working on long term flood alleviation schemes in regularly impacted areas.”