Cannock families form action group over flooding
An action group has been formed by residents in Cannock amid fears their homes could be ruined by flooding. The latest bout of bad weather means they are having to put out sandbags during heavy downpours.
Residents in Heathbank Drive, Huntington, first suffered problems during flash floods in the summer when around half a dozen families were affected by water getting into their houses. It is being caused by water flowing off a nearby field towards the cul-de-sac.
There are also concerns it could have an effect on properties in nearby Teddesley Way.
Neighbours have now formed the Heathbank and Teddesley Flood Action Group, having sought the advice of the National Flooding Forum.
They will be liaising with Staffordshire County Council to find a long-term solution to the issue.
Firefighters have been called on several occasions to help clear water.
Huntington and Hatherton Councillor Jeff Ashley said: "It has been a persistent problem now for about five months.
"The ground has been so soaked and sodden since June. Every time it rains water flows down the fields."
Reports of flooding problems across Staffordshire have doubled in the past eight months, with the county's highways crews being called out to more than 3,000 drainage problems.
This is more than double the amount for the same period last year.
The county council has now taken on three new members of staff to help educate the community of what they can do to help with flooding.
Over the Christmas period, county staff helped deal with flooding on roads. The A51 at Weston was closed due to flooding. The road was still being cleared of 90,000 litres yesterday to allow it to reopen.
