Resident buys pumps to stave off flooding in Westry

Philip Cox is thinking of selling his home due to regular flooding

A man who wanted to start a family and develop his home has said he is instead considering selling it due to repeated flooding.

Philip Cox, 49, bought his property in Westry, near March, Cambridgeshire five years ago but has been blighted with water and raw sewage at his back door.

Mr Cox has recently had to buy pumping equipment to stave-off the floodwater.

Cambridgeshire County Council said it was aware of the issue and working with other agencies to try to solve them.

Philip Cox's bungalow becomes surrounded with water and sewage

The family's sewerage system is a septic tank, but it regularly fills up after heavy rain.

Mr Cox has been running pumps throughout the day and night after heavy rain, leading to his electricity bill going up from £95 to £350 per month,

"A couple of years ago we had raw sewage a foot-high near our back door.

"This year it has been worse, it has nearly flooded twice. I have purchased three pumps which have been running 24/7 for a month," Mr Cox added.

"No one seems to be sorting this problem. The smell is awful, my septic tank fills up as soon as it is emptied - and without the pumps we would be flooded out.

"A few weeks back the large puddles froze. It was treacherous - the water table is high, we've had so much rain," he said.

One of the three pumps Mr Cox uses to deal with floodwater and raw sewage in his garden

A Cambridgeshire County Council spokesperson said: "We are aware of the flooding on Wisbech Road, Westry, and have been in contact with the resident concerned.

"The issue requires collaboration between us as the local flood authority and the highways authority and Fenland District Council.

"We're working together to investigate and find a solution."

A Fenland District Council spokesperson said: "Council officers have visited the site and undertaken an assessment of any public health issues associated with local private/domestic septic tank provisions.

"We have provided advice and are working with residents concerned. "

The spokesperson said its role was to investigate "private drainage matters that may affect public health and not flooding issues" but was working with other agencies.