CONCERNED flood victims met their MP on Saturday morning to discuss how to develop a long-term solution to the recurring problem.
Residents living in Baker’s Road, in Wroughton, have been hit with some of the worst flooding in Swindon over recent weeks.
A Wiltshire Fire and Rescue pump remains on site to try and remove the water, which is still rising when left unchecked.
They have built a temporary wall until a permanent solution is found and Swindon Council has sent 350 sandbags.
The residents met South Swindon MP Robert Buckland to explain the history of the problem, in an attempt to find a way to fix it permanently.
Resident Holly Woodward, 53, said it was a very productive meeting.
“I am delighted the MP has got involved and is helping us to find a solution,” she said.
“The important thing is we find out who is responsible for dealing with the issue because up until now there has been a lot of buck-passing between people all saying it is not their problem.
“This is a continual problem and something needs to be done.”
The area previously flooded in 2007 and the fire brigade was called out 10 times between 2002 and 2006.
It has now been concluded that a meeting needs to be set up between the Environment Agency, Thames Water, Swindon Council and residents to find a way forward.
Mr Buckland said: “It seems there are two strands to this problem. “There is a local issue about pipes on the surrounding land, which may be something for the residents, but there’s a more pressing problem of the water which flows down from the disused reservoir above Wroughton.
“Having seen the flooding first-hand you can see how much water there actually is. The pumps are still there and if they are turned off even for a few minutes then the water starts to rise again, so something more permanent needs to be done.
“I am going to organise this meeting to try and put together a long-term solution.”
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