25 Feb 2024
Harpenden businesses have been forced to install flood defences at their own expense to prevent rainwater from bursting into their properties every time there’s a deluge.
Molasses House art gallery and News 4 U newsagent in Station Road have both resigned themselves to taking matters into their own hands after persistent failings by Herts county council to act.
The problem stems from a double drain in the street which seems unable to discharge rainwater into the main sewage system, instead exploding through a nearby pavement manhole cover and rushing down the road in torrents, leaving a dangerous hole in the pavement hidden by water.
Despite months of emails and phone calls to HCC and relevant utility companies, Molasses House owner Barrie Woolston is frustrated by the lack of action.
He said: “We are living with the constant threat of flooding which is totally unacceptable. This is not a recent issue, it has been going on for years and there is a complete lack of interest on behalf of multiple parties and individuals to resolve. It is not possible to operate a business when one is under constant threat of flooding from moderate and/or persistent rain. This is a danger to life issue and needs to be treated with the utmost urgency. I have already witnessed an elder of our community with a walking frame up to her shins in flowing water as she tried to use the pedestrian crossing when flooded. When a child or elder falls down the open storm drain because the backed-up water pressure has lifted the cover from its seat the authorities will have significant issues to manage, not just flooding.
“The intransigence of those in authority regarding this matter I find both remarkable and depressing. Everyone hides behind each other or excuses and simply places the matter in the ‘shoulder shrugging box’. It is not acceptable.
“I have no recourse against anyone or any authority other to sit by and watch my business get flooded, pedestrians forced to walk down the middle of the road during moderate rain or find manhole covers unseated leaving the drain fully exposed for someone to fall into!”
Harpenden MP Bim Afolami is among those in authority who have failed to act to rectify the situation, despite pleas for intervention from Barrie.
According to HCC, Harpenden High Street was built on a dry river bed, and water comes down Station Road to join the drainage system there.
Thames Water have checked their drains and ensured the water is free-flowing, as Barrie explained: “The engineer who attended the site confirmed the pipes were clear but revealed the issue is caused by the 10cm pipe which joins the main drainage pipe running down the centre of Station Road.
“Due to the lack of natural drainage caused by the over-development of Station Road, poor management of drains and lack of intent, willingness or financial ability to resolve the matter we once again face a flood threat.”
County councillor Phil Bibby, executive member for highways and transport, has refused to accept the drains are at fault.
He told Barrie: “The reality is that there is a low likelihood of any significant infrastructure changes, especially in the short to medium term, i.e. no magic wand, I regret to say…
“With the topography of the area, much of which used to be a river, and development over the years reducing soakaway potential, it looks as though the flood risk is something we need to manage, rather than have a cure for.
“Even fully functioning drains will be overwhelmed by the heavy rain we are now experiencing, but I have asked officers to check they are on the appropriate cleansing frequencies, with reports of blocked drains responded to by adding them to our dig-out programme. We will remind SADC of their obligation to sweep the streets, to reduce the risk of drains becoming blocked…”
He said HCC’s Flood Risk Management team has committed to look into establishing a flood action group to support Harpenden residents and businesses to become more resilient and facilitate better communications.
County council leader Richard Roberts also refused to accept any responsibility for the issue, passing the buck to the district council.
In correspondence sent to Barrie Woolston on his behalf, he said: “I am sorry to hear of the problem you are facing with regards to drainage in your area. However (and you allude to it in your communication) ‘development’, or to put it another way local planning, and its many facets, are the statutory responsibility of your local district council, rather than Hertfordshire County Council.
“Could I request that you direct your observations to that body? And I hope that you can achieve a satisfactory resolution.”
Barrie responded: “Absolving yourself of responsibility simply because I mentioned a reference to ‘development’ I find incredulous. It is very clear to me and my neighbours, no public authority is prepared to take any responsibility for the flooding issues we face.
“After almost 12 months of considered communication with every public authority within Hertfordshire, it is very clear to me no action will be taken by those responsible, so I will reflect on my next steps to ensure this matter remains front of mind of the statutory bodies with responsibility for such matters.”
A spokesperson for Hertfordshire County Council told the Times: “Unfortunately the causes of the flooding problem in Station Road are a lot more complicated than a blocked drain.
“As Harpenden’s Lower High Street is built on the course of a dried-up river bed, unfortunately water naturally flows down the hill on Station Road towards the High Street.
“Normally this isn’t a problem, but when we get sudden extremely heavy rainfall, as we have recently, the drainage system can be temporarily overwhelmed as the water cannot drain away fast enough.
“We do regularly clean the drains, and we have looked into the flash flooding problems at this location in some detail, but unfortunately the geography of the area means that there is no practical way to completely prevent this kind of flash flood when there is sudden and extremely heavy rain.
“We are taking this issue seriously, and we have commissioned the National Flood Forum to work with us, residents, businesses, Thames Water and other stakeholders to fully understand the impacts of the flooding and work through what can be done to manage the flood risk in this area.”
But Harpenden North town councillor Richard Scott does not believe enough is being done to resolve the problem, rather than tackle the consequences.
“Flash flooding at the bottom of lengthy roads such as Station Road are challenging to manage, but it appears that even short bursts of heavy rain are now leading to serious incidents.
“Maintaining robust drainage systems are the responsibility of the Conservative-led Hertfordshire County Council. It is disappointing that the Conservative leader of HCC has repeatedly failed to address the serious drainage issues on Station Road.
“These failures have led to flooding and property damage to much-loved local Harpenden businesses on Station Road including News 4 U and the Molasses House gallery.
“HCC’s management of Harpenden’s gulleys and drains has been inadequate for many years. They do not even have a complete map of their drainage system.
“Liberal Democrats county councillors representing Harpenden recently proposed new investment in maintenance and infrastructure but this was rejected in early February by the Conservative administration.”
