Not moving overflowing village drain is ‘stupid’

A DECISION not to relocate an overflowing drain in Wargrave has been branded “stupid” by a councillor.

Wokingham Borough Council has said it will clear out the drain at Pumphouse Lane, described as a “safety risk” to children, cyclists and walkers.

But Councillor Wayne Smith told a full meeting of the parish council that it would not be relocated despite fears there could be an accident during periods of wet weather.

Councillors have said that the drain becomes blocked almost every time there is heavy rainfall, which causes rising water spills measuring up to four inches deep.

Councillor Marion Pope called the council decision “stupid”.

She said: “There’s going to be an accident and children can’t walk through it because [it’s so deep].

“I’ve measured it and they have to go out and around in to the road and, if you’ve got traffic coming both ways, it’s dangerous for children on their bikes.

“Because the waterworks lorries are using [the lane], there are two massive, great holes in the road. I took my ruler down and measured it.

“Something has got to be done. It’s the health and safety of the children that I’m worried about.”

Cllr Pope described the conditions last week as “horrific” following persistent heavy rain.

“There was a near miss,” she said. “I sat in my car and prayed it wouldn’t happen but that drain is in the wrong place.

“It’s not emptied. Something has got to be done about that.”

Councillor Michael Etwell said: “The drain is at least 1m out into the road... it is sited wrongly.”

Cllr Smith, who represents the village on the borough council, said if the issue isn’t solved when the drain has been cleared, the flooding and drainage team would have to come back again.

A spokeswoman for the borough council said: “We are still working on resolving the issue and have contacted our contractor to prioritise the investigative works.

“The work order is already in place to carry out jetting and further checks on the drainage system and we are chasing for this to be completed as soon as possible.”