Memorandum submitted by Gill Pett (FL
27)
RECENT FLOODING
LONGHOPE, GLOUCESTERSHIRE
I am a Parish Councillor for Longhope, which
is a rural village, set in a valley in the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire.
We were badly affected by the recent floods. It is felt that the
following contribute to the causes:
Poorly maintained hedgerows, culverts and lack
of drain cleaning. Debris from the hillsides soon covers over
the drains with leaves, sticks and gravel.
The brook which runs through the village is neglected
and not kept clear. Seedlings turn into trees and obstruct the
flow of water.
The bridges crossing the roads are too small
to cope with the amount of water from the hillsides.
Some recently built houses have flooded, which
leads us to think that there was not sufficient and thorough planning
prior to the developments.
All these problems lead to water flooding the
roads, lowest houses, and houses close to the brook in the village.
Many individual householders do not clear or
sweep there own property frontage, or clear the brook running
across their land as used to happen in times gone by. There seems
to be a lack of acceptance of responsibility for ones own environment.
I hope this information is of help,
Gill Pett
August 2007
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