Council seeks long-term fix for flood hotspot

Residents say they want a long-term fix after reports children were crossing the railway line to avoid flooding

A council in Leicestershire says it looking for long-term solutions to tackle a flooding hotspot.

Church Hill Road in Thurmaston, which passes under a railway bridge, is known to flood during periods of wet weather, with warning signs and flood gauges previously installed.

After what the Met Office recorded as the county's wettest September on record, a petition was launched calling for a permanent fix for the problem, the Local Democracy Reporting Service reported.

Leicestershire County Council's cabinet member for flooding, Ozzy O'Shea, said the council was "exploring potential longer-term solutions".

Concerns about the bridge were heightened following reports of children risking their lives by crossing the railway line to avoid the flood water.

Mr O'Shea previously told the BBC the council was "trying to do the best we can for that area, but the funding is the problem".

Connie Frost started a petition calling on authorities to find a solution to the flooding

In late September, the council said it pumped 35 tankers full of water from under the bridge after "unprecedented" rainfall.

"We're exploring potential longer-term solutions to this matter and are currently working to identify funding sources," said Mr O'Shea.

"We would also work in conjunction with Network Rail and other private landowners."

He added it was "disappointing" that drivers were still attempting to drive through flood water at the site, despite warning signs.

The petition urging the council to invest in "appropriate flood prevention methods" has attracted hundreds of signatures, the LDRS reported.

It was set up by Thurmaston resident Connie Frost, who said: "It's a health and safety risk.

"I've seen people walking barefoot through the water, not knowing what they're walking into. It's a danger."