RESIDENTS have told Wellington Town Council that they lay awake at night sometimes in fear that their homes will be flooded again.
People from Ditchford Cottages, in Rockwell Green, attended the council’s environment committee meeting on February 19 to say how disappointed they were with the findings of a report which had recently been published into the terrible flooding of September 2023.
Torrents of water rushed through Ditchford Cottages – leaving homes devastated after a nearby stream burst its banks. The damage left possessions destroyed, electrics blown and residents heartbroken.
But a report published last month by Somerset Council under Section 19 of the Flood and Management Act 2010 into the flooding of nearly 18 months ago has failed to cut the mustard with local people.
One resident said: “We were offered no support by Somerset Council and we do feel upset and let down.
“This report shows very little local knowledge of Wellington and doesn’t reflect the impact the flooding had on us.”
Another resident told councillors that she had to move out of her home for seven months after the flooding to allow for the damage to be repaired.
And a third resident said: “I’m very disappointed with the report – it is sadly lacking details with regard Rockwell Green. There is little understanding of the effect this flooding had on residents.
“The report is completely inadequate. I don’t sleep well when heavy rain is forecast.”
Councillors sympathised with the residents and agreed with their views that the Section 19 report had not offered much support.
Cllr Mark Lithgow, who chaired the meeting, said: “It’s a very poorly written report and it’s very generic – basically saying it ‘rained and it flooded’.
“I know that the local councillors here know the area very well – we are the best people to speak to Somerset Council about this report.”
Deputy Mayor Cllr Catherine Govier-Wiggins, added: “I’d like to thank the residents for coming and speaking to us.
“It’s a very disappointing report – especially after waiting nearly 18 months to get it. I was disappointed to read in the report that they are ‘investigating further’ – surely that should have happened already?
“There are lots of pictures and maps in the report, but not a lot of detail.”
The Section 19 report offers some recommendations that could be taken by agencies – including the town council - in the future.
But town clerk Dave Farrow, in a report, said: “Following discussions with Somerset Council it has become clear that there will be no strategic oversight at that level to ensure that other agencies are implementing the recommendations assigned to them.”
Cllr Govier-Wiggins added: “It’s shocking – what is the point of having this report if nothing is going to happen.
“It’s crucial we take some responsibility over this and try to keep on top of the different agencies involved.”
Cllr Sean Pringle-Kosikowsky suggested it was important the town council got an emergency plan in order and stocked up on essential equipment to deal with future flooding.