Two new debris grates have been installed over the entry to an underground stream to protect residents in The Avenue area of Hadleigh from flooding.
The new grates were put in by council contractors after a campaign by local MP Rebecca Harris, residents and local councillors. Funding for the grates was provided by the local Highways Panel and both Essex County Council and Castle Point Borough Council worked together on design and installation of the grates that was completed just before Christmas.
They have been installed at the end of a drainage dyke along the edge of the Hadleigh Infants School playing field and are designed to prevent rubbish and debris from entering a piped tributary of the Prittle Brook that runs under several houses.
On a number of occasions in recent years the underground stream became so clogged up with twigs, leaves and rubbish during heavy rain that it over spilled out through people’s homes causing localised flooding to a number of properties as it flowed downhill.
Castle Point MP Rebecca Harris said:
“It was clear these grates were needed from the start and I want to thank Essex Flood Risk Management Partnership, the local Highways Panel and Castle Point Borough Council for the way the worked together to get them funded and installed.
“I also want to thank Hadleigh Junior and Infant schools for their support.”
“These grates should do a lot to reduce the risk of flooding locally and I know they will bring a lot of peace of mind to many residents that have been living in fear of repeated flooding.”
St James Ward Councillor Norman Ladzrie said:
“Flooding has caused misery to local residents around this part of Hadleigh time and time again and this is something Rebecca, myself and other local councillors have been pushing hard for. I am very pleased we managed to get this grate for local residents and I hope now this is the end of it and residents can finally stop worrying every time it starts raining.”
Local resident Theresa Thompson has been flooded several times in the past two years and one of the grates has been installed behind her property in Bilton Road Hadleigh. She said:
“It has made such a difference already for me and my neighbours, we are now able to rest and sleep easy when it rains. The contactors have done such a fantastic job. Many thanks to Rebecca, Cllr Ladzrie and all those involved.”