Flooding meeting brings solution closer

Dominic ChessumDrainage problems in a Norfolk village are a step closer to being resolved after a meeting between Anglian Water and representatives from three different councils.Dominic Chessum

Drainage problems in Necton are a small step closer to being resolved after a meeting between Anglian Water and representatives from three different councils.

On several occasions in recent months, heavy rain has caused raw sewage to spill over from sewers in the village.

It is though tthe problem stems from surface water drains having been misconnected to the foul water sewers but, as previously reported in the Times, no one is prepared to take full responsibility for the problem.

While Breckland Council argues ultimate responsibility lies with Anglian Water, the water company says it is only responsible

for the foul water drains - and argues that if rainwater is being fed into these due to misconnection it is something it can do nothing about.

At a meeting on Tuesday, representatives from Necton Parish Council, Breckland Council and Norfolk County Council met with engineers from Anglian water to discuss the problem further.

Mike Dean, who represented Necton Parish Council at the meeting, said: "We got from Anglian Water the admission that the pumping station is not up to the task in times of heavy rainfall, but there was nobody present at the meeting to agree that something would

be done.

"We are now waiting for Anglian Water to consider the report from their representative who was at the meeting.

"I regard this as a step forward - at least we have an admission."

He added: "This is an important issue. It is unsatisfactory to have people with sewage backing up so they are forced to use buckets because they cannot use their toilet."