Wetheringsett-cum-Brockford drain first reported in 2016

Wetheringsett-cum-Brockford Parish Council say a "catalogue of reports for this blocked drain makes tedious reading", after it was revealed an issue in Church Street was first reported in 2016.

The problematic drain is now due to be fixed by Suffolk Highways after it was addressed in a section 19 flood report for the village following Storm Babet.

"Further to the north along Church Street there is a known highways drainage issue on the west side of the carriageway," the recently released report says.

A spokesperson for Suffolk Highways said it has been added to its programme for "potential future works".

It comes after the opposition group at Suffolk County Council criticised a report setting out how £1.5million would be allocated to the highways department to address issues contributing to the flooding last autumn.

Andrew Stringer, group leader of the Green, Liberal Democrat and Independent Group, said: "In my division we have been reporting particular problems with drainage to Suffolk Highways for seven years.

"Inevitably, this delay and neglect has contributed to the serious flooding we saw in the village during Storm Babet. I expect many flooded communities can say the same."

Residents first reported issues with drainage in 2016 (Image: Google Maps) Residents in the village believe problems with the drain were first reported in 2016. In 2024, following on from the Storm Babet flooding, it was reported 15 times.

​"The catalogue of reports for this blocked drain makes tedious reading, however it was reported three further times that year (2016), four times in 2017 (this time by more residents)," said a spokesperson for the parish council.

Andrew Stringer, Suffolk County Councillor for the Upper Gipping ward (Image: Suffolk County Council) More than 20 properties were flooded in the village during Storm Babet, according to the flood investigation report. 

On the drain issue in Church Street, the report adds: "Suffolk Highways inspectors have been to site and reported a severe blockage or collapse of the connecting drainage pipe, meaning the surface water from the highway has no route to the nearby watercourse."

As a result of the blockage, it states that water backs up on the western side and causes a pooling of water, which then tops over the kerb line and flows down into houses.

"Whilst we would like to complete all drainage improvements immediately, in recent years we have experienced wet winters and more frequent heavy rainfall. Therefore, we must prioritise the sites to work on based upon the impact of the flood waters," added the Suffolk Highways spokesperson.

A parish council spokesperson added: "The parish suffered very badly during Storm Babet, both the centre of Wetheringsett and Brockford Street. Over a year has now passed and no action has been taken by our county council."

Councillor Paul West, Suffolk County Council’s cabinet member with responsibility for flooding, said: “The county council spends millions of pounds each year on maintaining highway drainage infrastructure, which plays a part in lowering the risk of flooding across our county.

"We also committed an extra £10 million over the past three years to deliver a substantially larger programme of drainage improvement schemes.

“After experiencing one of the worst flood events in the county’s history we have made available additional funding and resources to further bolster our efforts in reducing the impact flooding has on our communities.

“It is only right that we continue to increase our resources appropriately, which is why I am glad that Cabinet have approved £1.5 million extra funding to help with delivering some of the recommendations outlined in the flood investigations currently being carried out."