Call for action as flood victims fear winter repeat

Rescue services moved sandbags on a flooded street in Hitchen on 27 September 2024

Residents affected by severe flooding in September have called for urgent remedial work to prevent it happening again over the winter.

Dozens of families in Hitchin, Hertfordshire, were forced to leave their homes after the River Purwell burst its banks and several remain in temporary accommodation.

A group of neighbours who have formed the Hitchin Flood Action Committee are calling on Hertfordshire County Council, the Environment Agency and Anglian Water to act.

The council said the Environment Agency had secured funding for work "to remove blockages, vegetation, and trees that could potentially cause problems", with the aim of competing it over the winter period.

Homes in Hitchin were flooded when the River Purwell burst its banks

The calls echoed a similar plea made by affected residents at a meeting in late September.

The agency told the BBC that the flooding in Hitchin was primarily caused by intense rain, with some locations recording more than double the average monthly rainfall for September in a single day.

Heavy rain in late September and early October saw large parts of Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire flooded.

Jay Cooper will be out of her home for six months after it was damaged by flood water

Jay Cooper, who has been told she will be out of her home for at least six months, said the campaign group had been lobbying for remedial work with some river clearance and drainage maintenance.

"We're at the beginning of winter, basically," she said.

"What's the likelihood that we're going to have another severe weather event in December, January or February?"

Jacob Shaw had to leave his home for nearly two months after it flooded

Jacob Shaw's home was also flooded.

It continues to dry out, but there is extensive repair work still to do.

"It’s not been the best time," he said. "Obviously you just want to be home really.

"We've got the floors to do, the tiling - through the bathroom and in the kitchen. Units and cabinets in the kitchen need replacing.. and then we’re going to get redecoration throughout the downstairs."

On the threat of further wet weather he said: "We just really need the authorities to work together, we need people visible.

"This situation has to be resolved."

'Impact on small businesses'

Just down the road, Walsworth Community Centre was also flooded.

The parquet floor was destroyed and the hall can not be used until at least next year.

It has left many small businesses having to cancel classes and groups.

The flooring at Walsworth Community Centre has had to be torn up and awaits repair

Hannah Fraser taught two yoga classes at the hall. She has had to move to a different venue.

"I had to cancel classes for a couple of weeks, which had a huge impact on my revenue at that time... even now I'm only able to offer one class," she said.

"I know there are others. This isn't big businesses that are making lots of profit.

It's lots of small, community based organisations that are having to slow down or stop what they are doing because of the flooding."

Hannah Fraser runs Worker Bee Yoga and has had to cancel one of her yoga classes and relocate another

A spokesperson for the Environment Agency said: "There is little that can be done to prevent such flooding in such extreme events.

“However, it is possible to reduce the impact by fitting flood barriers to doorways, airbricks and windows.

"We will be working with Hertfordshire County Council to see if any of these methods are appropriate in Hitchin and whether funding may be available.

"We’re also planning further vegetation clearance this month which will improve conveyance in the channel."

Anglian Water said a local team was involved in clean ups at more than 60 properties in the area.

The county council said a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the flooding in Hitchin was currently taking place.

A spokesperson added: "This will include talking to residents impacted, the Environment Agency, Anglian Water, North Herts District Council, and other agencies and partners involved in the response phase of the flooding."

They said a report would be published that would identify "the organisation that is responsible for the type of flooding and set out the findings to help them shape their next actions."