Calls to clear drain causing Telford sludge chaos

Phil Henry, from Ketley, says the falling water levels after the flooding leave Wren's Nest Lane covered in mud and sludge.

He says the water is at times ankle deep and has caused damage to one of the family's cars. When levels are at their highest, he has been forced to park almost a mile away at his brother's house and walk home, through the water.

The carpet fitter said: "With all the rain we've had, it has caused the drain to flood.

"There's an old lady in a bungalow on our road and she goes in her wheelchair down to the shops, but at the moment she can't get out.

"When the water drains away, it leaves all this sludge behind."

Last year, Severn Trent completed a £1 million project which took seven months to replace drainage pipes in Orchard Lane, which is next to Wren's Nest Lane.

The project was done in a bid to stop the area flooding from rainwater, bur Mr Henry said the work was the start of the problems in his area following heavy rain.

Mr Henry said: "When the work was done, they must have blocked the drain because we've never had this problem before.

"I reported it to Severn Trent but they said it is not their drain.

"I told them it would only take them a few minutes to suck all the sludge out.

"So I spoke to Telford & Wrekin Council and they said it wasn't their drain either but they would clear it out as a courtesy when they are passing, but it still hasn't been done."

Because Wren's Nest Lane is unadopted, Mr Henry said he is having trouble getting someone to take responsibility for the drain.

Rebecca Murphy, spokeswoman for Severn Trent, said: "We received reports of flooding on Wrens Nest Lane, Ketley, on January 4.

"We went straight out to investigate and we suspect that the problem is being caused by a damaged drain which is on a private road.

"We're now working closely with Telford & Wrekin Council to help resolve the issue for the customer affected."