Heavy rains cause more misery

People living in Woodlands Crescent, Pelsall, are calling for a final end to their flooding nightmare, which has left scores of families stranded in their homes. The problem has been raging on for months.

And an angry Walsall councillor is claiming legal action might soon be the next step to be taken.

There was a stalemate when Walsall Council and Severn Trent Water both claimed it was not their responsibility, before council workers dug a trench to take water away from the homes.

But this is now blocked, causing the problem to flare up again. Ward councillor Marco Longhi is backing the residents. "The trench that has been excavated is very welcome but it is only a temporary measure," he said. "I will still be insisting on proper remedial works to be carried out as investigations have shown that the drain is completely blocked, it has collapsed and needs replacing.

"If this goes on for too long, I will be asking for the council to carry out the works and pursue Severn Trent if necessary.

"I am very angry at this, it is unacceptable that residents should be caught in this blame game between the council and Severn Trent."

He added: "To make matters worse, and indeed urgent, all residents are complaining of toilets not flushing properly. This drainage problem is becoming a more serious environmental health matter."

But bosses at Severn Trent maintain it is not their problem. Sophie Jordan, company spokeswoman, said: "Severn Trent Water does not have a public sewer in Woodlands Crescent, the highway drainage in Woodlands Crescent is the responsibility of the local council. Our flooding technicians have been in contact with local councillors about how best to rectify the situation and we believe they are making measures to implement these."

Keith Stone, Walsall Council assistant director for the built environment, said: "We are examining the possibility that a pond on the common has silted up, becoming blocked, causing the highway flooding."