HOMES in Ford are in danger of flooding because of silted-up drains, residents say.

They have been asking for council workmen to clear the drains, outside Boswells yard and Ford Mill, for more than 18 months.

But they say that when Wiltshire Council finally sent four men at 4am on December 11, the crew claimed they had been told not to use their high-pressure jet spray, and were not carrying other necessary equipment.

Ford’s flood warden, parish councillor Sarah Champion, described the situation as “far from acceptable” and called for urgent action.

She said the fact that soakaways are not positioned at the lowest points in the road makes the situation worse.

Alan Lovering, who lives at the Mill, said: “The water can be 1ft deep across the road, and spreads into the frontage of the Mill and my neighbours’ drive. Three weeks ago it got very close to flooding the cottage opposite, but I got my tractor out and we built an earth barrier.

“It’s much more of a problem down the road in front of Boswell’s yard. People living there get three or four inches of water in their drive every time it rains.”

Mr Lovering, who got up to speak to the workmen, said: “There were two Land Rovers plus a water-cum-waste truck to get the rubbish out, and four men. They stayed about 20 minutes and achieved absolutely nothing. That’s at the taxpayer’s expense.”

For the full story, see the Journal on December 31.