Storm causes floods and damage to chimneys in Bedworth

[dutchman]

Nuneaton and surrounding areas felt the force of the stormy weather over the weekend – resulting in floods and damage to properties.



Residents in the Cleaver Gardens area in Weddington and Woodlands Lane in Bedworth saw a vast amount of flood water rise within a few hours, while some homeowners in Hayes Green Road, Bedworth, had damage sustained to their chimneys.

Bede Ward councillor Bill Hancox, of Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council, said: "On Saturday night I received phone calls from residents about the water level rising in Delamere Road, Bedworth. I called the council and the Environment Agency, who have also visited the site.

The culvert in Croft Pool, off Newtown Road, had a lot of debris in it including a traffic cone. At about 11pm on Saturday, the water level was rising again, it was at about three inches high and changing every 15 to 20 minutes, which left residents very concerned.

"I went down there on Sunday morning and the water level had decreased, the culvert had done its job although debris had got caught in it. The prevention is definitely there but if the water level had come up anther couple of inches, say eight or nine, it could have been bad.

"I will be asking the council and the Environment Agency some questions about statutory obligations to use sandbags in this area. The residents have got away with it this time thanks to the defensive works put in place after the bad flooding in 2009."

A spokesperson for Warwickshire Fire and Rescue said: "Calls were received in the emergency control room of Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service to chimneys that had collapsed in the wind on Hayes Green Road, Bedworth. Two properties were affected.

"Upon arrival, firefighters found one chimney that had completely collapsed and another in danger of collapse due to damage caused by the high winds and rain. Firefighters called for the attendance of a structural engineer to assess the damage and a BT engineer due to the fact that the phone lines had been affected.

"Firefighters used small, gear, working at height equipment, ladders and salvage sheets to secure the properties while liaising with the structural engineer from Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council. No-one was injured and fire crews were detained for approximately two and a half hours."

A spokesperson for Warwickshire County Council said yesterday: "We are currently dealing with collapsed chimneys in Hayes Green Road, Bedworth – as well as flooding in Woodlands Lane, Bedworth, where we are currently sandbagging properties affected."