Flood anxiety too much for former soldier who is moving home (From Darlington and Stockton Times)
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Ex-soldier fed up with flood problems at Gilling West, near Richmond
8:30am Saturday 7th July 2012 in News
By Ashley Barnard, Reporter (Richmond)
‘HAD ENOUGH’: Gilling West resident Johnathan Stones in flood waters next to his houuse on the High Street after heavy rainfall
A DISABLED former soldier has vowed to move after floodwater last night rose level with his front door – for the second time in eight days.
Jonathan Stones said that he can no longer live with the anxiety caused by the constant flooding threat every time there is a torrential downpour.
The 43-year-old former Green Howard has lived in Gilling West, near Richmond, for the past seven years.
However, even with various flood defence works, the water still seeps through the sandstone walls of his rented cottage.
“In 2007 it came right into my house and ruined everything from my carpets and sofa to my freezer and washing machine,” he said.
“I thought that once the council spent the money on flood defences two years ago, we would be better protected but it will happen again.”
“I could not sleep at all last night for fear it would come into my house again and I doubt I’ll sleep tonight – I need to put my health first now and move somewhere else.”
Jonathan Stones
His gable end terrace is protected by a stone wall, but last night the water level rose steadily as the drains were unable to cope with the volume of rainwater.
Daphne Jones, 65, moved to Gilling West in January and last night she joined other villagers in moving traffic signs and cones in an attempt to stop motorists creating bow waves that could overflow the protecting wall.
She said: “When I saw how high the rain was getting, I called on my neighbours and we came out to try to clear the drains and stop cars - but not many seem to listen and just come past as fast as they like. They do not realise it is our homes we are trying to protect.”
Villager Richard Deacon added: “The authorities need to come and see how bad it is because they refuse to admit we live on a flood plain.”
Mr Stones has already given his notice to his landlord and said he intends to move to Carlton-in-Cleveland where he hopes to start afresh.
“I could not sleep at all last night for fear it would come into my house again and I doubt I’ll sleep tonight – I need to put my health first now and move somewhere else.”
The village benefitted from a new flood defence system two years ago after the widening of the nearby A66 meant drainage was a serious problem in villages below the major road.
