'Flooded underpass poses significant disease risk'

People living in Chesham say the stagnant water is a health concern and could spread disease

A call has been issued for urgent action to deal with stagnant water in an underpass which has been closed for five years.

Chesham Town Council said that with the "current spell of hot weather, the water poses a significant risk of disease due to contamination and mosquito breeding".

It has written an open letter to Buckinghamshire Council asking for the water under St Mary's Way, which is a dual carriageway, to be dealt with urgently.

Buckinghamshire Council deputy leader Thomas Broom said the authority's highways team had commissioned "a full structural and drainage survey, which will be carried out over the summer".

Chesham Town Council said the "essential public thoroughfare has now been closed for approximately five years"

In its letter, Chesham Town Council said the "essential public thoroughfare has now been closed for approximately five years – a staggering length of time that reflects a gross failure of responsibility on the part of those charged with its maintenance and oversight".

It said residents "have been forced to endure this neglect, and the town council will not stand by while this hazard continues to endanger public wellbeing and degrade our town's infrastructure".

Broom said: "We fully appreciate the concerns of residents, local stakeholders and the town council regarding the ongoing and long-standing flooding issues at this underpass.

The town council said the "situation has deteriorated to the point where stagnant water has accumulated to dangerous levels"

"We have already responded directly to the town council to acknowledge their concerns and provide an update on the situation.

"Despite multiple efforts to upgrade the in-situ pumping equipment, the situation has unfortunately worsened."

Broom added that the standing water would be pumped out and regular inspections would be carried out ahead of the full structural and drainage survey.