Newbury hotel blockage 'keeping water levels high', resident claims

Gurpal Nijjar says he visited the Newbury Manor Hotel and recorded footage of the blockage

A resident impacted by recent flooding says a river blockage at a nearby hotel is keeping water levels high.

Gurpal Nijjar, from Newbury, Berkshire, said debris at Newbury Manor Hotel was preventing water from flowing properly.

The Environment Agency (EA) has deemed the site "unsafe to access" but said it was not currently affecting nearby properties.

The hotel's director said he was "ensuring that any action required" was taken.

The Newbury Manor Hotel is situated off the banks of the River Lambourn and River Kennet.

Both rivers created recent flooding, leaving them in "a desperate situation".

The Environment Agency says it is aware of debris causing a blockage in the river

Mr Nijjar said the levels of the River Lambourn running through the town were "not going down as quickly as they possibly could".

He believes a "serious" blockage at the hotel before it merges into the River Kennet is the problem.

He said: "There is a manmade structure across the whole width of the River Lambourn belonging to the said hotel."

He made an appointment with the EA who inspected the infrastructure.

An EA spokesperson said its team had visited the site on several occasions, and was "aware of the debris causing blockage in the River Lambourn".

They added: "Our staff have visited the site on several occasions, but it is currently unsafe to access.

"Fortunately it is not posing an immediate flood risk to nearby properties.

"We continue to monitor the situation and will support the landowner in the clearance of the watercourse when it is safe to do so."

Andrew Bradshaw, director of SCP Newbury Manor Limited, said he was "aware that some concerns have been raised about an alleged blockage".

"I am in communication with the Environment Agency and am ensuring that any action required is taken," he said.

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