Laura Farris update on flooding in the Lambourn Valley
Posted by Laura Farris, Member of Parliament for West Berkshire on Facebook.
The situation in Lambourn and the surrounding villages is completely unacceptable. I have been horrified to read your posts about raw sewage running down the road and into the river.
Many of you will recall that the last occasion of serious flooding occurred in 2020 and, at the time, we placed huge pressure on Thames Water to act.
In Lambourn they undertook to conduct a complete relining exercise involving the sewers and, during the two years over which the work was conducted, I met with them on a quarterly basis to receive updates. I am bitterly disappointed by the inadequacy of this work which has revealed itself just four years later (and really only two years after they finished the remedial work).
Getting Thames Water to take action to protect residents is like getting blood out of a stone.
I have today written to them and the Environment Agency to make my views clear (please see the letter below). I have also reported them to the Floods Minister, Robbie Moore, and asked him to consider imposing a fine for the significant environmental and public health breaches which I believe they are committing.
I will update you as soon as I have a response.
Original posted on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/laurafarrisuk
When the springs rise so much water in the ground the access water gets into the Sewer Pipes. which we were told. Any work to Do Thames Water were informed by many people in the Village but has still not repaired and is now very much a worry. To all the residents in the local area, PLEASE would The Thames Water Company take control of this very unsafe problem for the local residents. Young and Old are all at risk. PLEASE WOULD YOU TAKE ACTION NOW. Before any of the local residents Health is affected by this disgraceful harm because the local Thames Water Company have not completed any work needed. Yes I am a local resident and I pay my fees to the Thames Water. Please. Please. Please get the work done and keep the Residence of the Lambourn Valley Villages, Healthy and free from the unthinkable disaster of your unclean water system.
I notice that Thames Water seems to take all the hits for this. I am surprised at Laura Farris not also naming and shaming the other sewer owners in the Lambourn Valley. She is fully aware that TW own about 50% of them. Too my knowledge the other owners have taken no action to ensure that rain water does not enter their pipework which is the man cause of the sewers flooding. What are West Berkshire Council going to do when TW complete the works on their own pipes and walk away ‘job done’?
I had a drive out to Lambourn today to look at a property for sale. Myself and my dog had a little walk around and were horrified to see and smell the leak and seeing it all go straight in the river. Very sad as it looks a lovely village.
Sadly been an on going fight for years and will no doubt continue. Hopefully you will visit us again in the summer always better when the sun is shining.