Council leader vows strongest legal action if drainage improvement works near Newport not carried out

People living in Church Aston, near Newport, have faced several issues of flooding during the past few years, with a ‘torrent’ of water entering their gardens. A land drainage issue in a field behind The Dale has been identified as the cause of the problem.

However, despite Councillor Andrew Eade, ward member for Church Aston and Lilleshall, first raising it at a Telford & Wrekin Council meeting in February, issues still remain. He therefore asked council leader, Lee Carter, if he had an update during last week’s full council meeting.

“With my oversight, the council has relentlessly continued to work with the landowners’ representatives to push for a solution at the earliest opportunity,” said Councillor Carter.

“We had regular contact from the point from the February council meeting which resulted in assurances being given that work would start in April.

“It quickly became clear that the landowners were not acting within the required pace, hence why we then issued a letter for action in July stating that the council would actively progress enforcement action, utilising the relevant powers of the Land Drainage Act if a robust and timely plan to resolve the issue was not implemented.

“As a result, I can confirm the landowner has set out a number of actions and associated timescales. I have purposely been tracking this on a regular basis to ensure a satisfactory outcome is achieved at the earliest opportunity.

“The landower confirmed they are on track to complete the improvement works in November and have appointed a contractor. The slight delay this time has been as a result of the harvest in October.

“This council will continue to ensure this work will be undertaken, and if not, will take the most robust legal approach we can using the powers at our disposal.”