Drainage maintenance and flood prevention
In villages all over South Cambridgeshire, widespread development in recent years has meant a deterioration in natural drainage systems, and strain on an aging drainage network. Severe weather brought about by climate change means that flooding has become more than just a high risk. Residents in the Chishills, Melbourn and Meldreth who were flooded last year and the year before discovered that the County Council lacks the resources to carry out preventative work to its Highways surface water drainage system. Rather, it is a case of responding too little, too late. No single authority has responsibility for drainage. The District Council is responsible for maintaining an ancient system of watercourses, called ‘award ditches,’ dating to nineteenth century legal arrangements. Anglian Water is responsible for some, but not all, foul sewage drainage. Residents are often responsible for more than they realize, especially if their property borders ditches or watercourses. In many villages in the north of the district, longstanding internal drainage boards play a significant role.
A shining light in an otherwise worrying system of no overall responsibility is the expertise and local knowledge on the part of the District Council’s drainage team – these are professionals with intimate knowledge of how the water works in our villages. It is vital that this service be valued and protected, for the benefit of all residents.
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