Couple's flooding misery has eased (From Darlington and Stockton Times)

Couple's flooding misery has eased

11:58am Saturday 26th January 2013 in News By Andy Walker, Chief Reporter (Darlington)

A COUPLE who suffered more than a decade of on-off flooding misery at their home say efforts by a water company to mitigate the problem have been successful.

David and Sue Davies, of Hurworth, near Darlington, told last year how they were often plagued by raw waste overflowing from an underground sewer running along the back of their property.

Sewage including human waste would regularly flood their property, leaving them unable to use the shower or toilet and costing them thousands in repair bills.

Northumbrian Water carried out modification to the sewer, which Mr and Mrs Davies say has led to a marked improvement.

Mr Davies said: “We are grateful to Northumbrian Water for their efforts, which seem to have stopped us backing up from the sewer.

“It has given us huge respite. In days gone by, for years, whenever there was substantial rainfall, it was just unbearable.

“Both Sue and I are very happy with what Northumbrian Water have done for us.”

In November, more than 50 residents attended a public meeting to discuss sewer problems affecting the village as a whole.

Severe rainfall in September had led to widespread flooding in the village, particularly around Friars Pardon.

Some progress is being made in efforts to reduce flooding issues in the wider village, a recent meeting of the parish council heard.

Councillors Ken Pattison and Tony Needham gave members an update on the progress being made, including:

• Northumbrian Water has resolved the problem of leaking foul water at the Glebe;

• However, in resolving the Glebe situation, the surplus surface water is now causing further flooding in Friars Pardon. There are still serious problems in Blind Lane and West End. There is a blockage in the culvert, and to date no action has been taken. The cost may fall on local residents, if the problem is under their property. Coun Pattison is in discussion with both Darlington Borough Council and Northumbrian Water over the issue.