Britford floods: Residents call for more help to protect their homes

Flooding in Britford started on Saturday, January 16, and locals have come together to combat the water.

This comes after a red flood warning which stated properties would be at risk was issued for the area by the Environment Agency.

Lower Road residents have installed defences, with some using slate tiles to break the waves and pool water pumps to get the water out.

Water pump and sandbags in the back garden of a house on Lower Road. (Image: Salisbury Journal)

However these precautions have not stopped water from surrounding and, in some cases, entering the buildings.

Moat Cottage, on the corner where Lower Road meets Church Lane, had to be evacuated after flood water entered the building, according to one resident.

They said: "All the residents are out doing their bit but it's difficult sometimes to know where to start because water gets in everywhere."

Moat Cottage has been evacuated while water drains out. (Image: Salisbury Journal)

Another resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said help is needed from "further afield", adding: "There is no help.

"The Parish Council has been good with providing sandbags and signs but this isn't about individual houses, the issue is bigger than that."

The valley village, which is adjacent to River Avon flood plains, also flooded in 2000 and 2014 so long-standing residents had dealt with the problem before.

But now residents are calling for better water management systems and a "joined-up approach" by the Environmental Agency, Natural England, and the council.

An Environment Agency spokesperson said its river gauge at Harnham Bridge is currently within 10mm of its highest ever recorded level from January 2014.

They added: "Levels in the River Avon and tributaries are currently exceptionally high due to excessive rainfall and the resulting rise in groundwater levels across Salisbury Plain.

"With such high flows in the River Avon the extensive floodplain is naturally inundated and low lying properties are inevitably affected.

"With so much water across such an extensive area it is impossible to control the flow effectively and keep the water away from the vulnerable properties.

"Properties in Britford are also susceptible to groundwater which is effectively impossible to manage or control on a large scale."

Britford houses are not connected to the water supply grid which means residents rely on septic tanks but flooding has affected its drainage.

Despite flood warning signs being placed at all ends of the water, some drivers had to travel through the large puddle to get out of the village.

Car drives through flood water in Britford

Britford Parish Council was approached for comment.