ILMINSTER NEWS: Action is needed NOW to stop flooding chaos once and for all

FED-UP traders and residents are expected to turn up in force next week to urge Ilminster Town Council to take action following the latest flooding problems in the Ditton Street area.

Blocked drains could not cope on Sunday (July 23, 2017) when the heavens opened and a torrential downpour saw the Ditton Street area go under water.

Although drains are a highways matter which comes under the umbrella of Somerset County Council local people are looking for support from the Mayor, Cllr Val Keitch, and her town council colleagues to give them support in what is a reoccurring and historical problem.

A meeting was held on Wednesday (July 26, 2017) evening where people from the Ditton Street area met at bridal shop Prima Moda Brides – which miraculously escaped virtually undamaged during the floods – and could voice their concerns.

Jean Pas, of Prima Moda Brides, told Ilminster Press: “It was a good turnout although we need more homeowners who have been affected to come forward.

“If we can get more and more people involved it will help our cause. It is getting the right people to take responsibility which has always been the problem.

“This has been going on for such a long time, but this time we aren’t going to give up.”

Jean, speaking on social media, added: “There will be a petition going into shops asking for help in sorting out the problems.

“The more people, businesses or homeowners we get the better – we need you.

“Don’t be a NIMBY (not in my back yard) – it might not have been you affected this time, but it could be you the next time.

“Please support us in our aim to at least get our drains cleared.”

Ilminster Town Council’s planning, highways and transport committee is meeting on Tuesday (August 1, 2017) at the Minster Rooms in Court Barton, Ilminster, from 7.30pm and it is hoped that people will go along and have their say about the flooding issues.

Five years ago in December 2012 the town council held a public meeting at Swanmead School to discuss another flooding crisis.

Visitors were split into two groups – one for Ditton Street and Shudrick Lane area, and another for Station Road and Home Farm Park.

It was all part of a plan to get as much “local information” from people about historical flooding issues which could then be put into a detailed report for organisations such as the district council, county council and Environment Agency.

But it would seem as if nothing has actually been actioned since then as the Ditton Street area found itself at the centre of another issue.

A number of properties and businesses were affected on Sunday including the Silver Street Dairy in Silver Street which has been closed until further notice because of the damage sustained.

PHOTOS: Ditton Street under water on Sunday (July 23, 2017). Supplied by Craig Rice.

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