We're a forgotten village, say locals in Ansty

[dutchman]

The road running through Ansty has been partially closed for six years



People living in the village of Ansty in Warwickshire say they feel "forgotten about", six years on from a landslip that caused a partial road closure.

Residents have been volunteering to maintain the village, and say the partially closed bridge has also been "a headache".

Warwickshire County Council said the landslip was not the authority's responsibility and that groundwork investigations would be taking place. The Canal & River Trust also said it was not responsible for the landslip. The BBC have approached Rugby Borough Council for comment.

"I've lived here all of my life. I've never seen the village in such disrepair and just totally let down and forgotten," said resident, Ian Robinson.

After five days of cutting grass, tackling overgrown vegetation and painting, volunteers said they have filled 21 one-tonne waste bags.

"Everyone is under financial pressure, but nevertheless, I think just basic maintenance of the village is not too much to ask for," said resident, Lee Hitchen.

Murray West, who has lived in the village for 11 years, said: "It's a bit disappointing that we're having to do this. Cut the grass, cut the hedges, paint.

"It's a lot of work, especially when we've all got full-time jobs."

"It certainly didn't look like this 40 years ago, when I first moved here," said Maria Willis.

She added: "We were proud of this village, but it's gone to pot."

Jonathan and Collette Brown have been dealing with a landslip behind their home for the past six years.

Collette said part of the canal embankment dropped about 4ft after heavy rainfall in October 2020.

The couple have since lost around half of their garden, with the slippage continuing to get closer to their home.

"I'm absolutely petrified, it's the one thing that keeps me awake at night," said Collette.

"Year by year it's just creeping closer and closer to the house and I just think, at what point is it going to start affecting the foundations of the house.

"I had to pay out legal fees and get technical reports to prove that it wasn't our fault.

"It just continues, and we have not been able to be out here and enjoy our garden."

Jonathan said: "We're kind of caged in. It's almost like living in an open prison that used to be our garden.

"The kind of mental health impact can't be underestimated as well."