29 Feb 2024
A Harpenden businessman decided to block a major road after another torrential downpour caused further flooding outside his property.
Barrie Woolston, who owns Molasses House art gallery in the town’s Station Road, has run out of patience after Herts county council refused to tackle problems with a blocked drain in the street.
Heavy rain this morning has caused further extensive flooding, once again creating enough hydraulic pressure to lift a manhole cover on the pavement.
Attempts to resolve the situation with Herts county council repeatedly fall on deaf ears, as Barrie is merely urged to raise the issue on the Highways Fault Reporting website.
So today he parked up his car next to the blocked drain and released a paddling of plastic ducks to highlight the issue.
He told the Times: “It is simply outrageous that the elected and salaried officials in all public authorities across Herts pay lip service to the public and completely ignore their statutory duties to protect them.
“Despite repeated attempts over the past 12 months to resolve the drainage issue in Station Road they do nothing. In the meantime the pedestrian crossing becomes impassable each and every time it rains.
“Sometimes civil action is required to raise the issue, given the intransigence of our leaders to do anything, so there was the inaugural Station Road duck race today. Sadly not many people attended as it was raining!”
Liberal Democrat Parliamentary candidate for Harpenden and Berkhamsted, Victoria Collins, has been actively supporting Barrie’s campaign.
She said: “Talking to Barrie at Molasses House and other local businesses about the impact of constant flooding, this has gone beyond ridiculous. Both Molasses House and News 4 U have had to board up their shops in such a way you would think they’re in Venice, not in the middle of Harpenden.
“This not only has an impact on the shops but customers and pedestrians who pass by with the constant threat of slipping or being doused by a passing car. After many letters and emails, we knew we had to do something to get the attention of those responsible.
“Hertfordshire County and Thames Water need to pull their finger out and sort this out, along with the many other incidents of, what is now, daily flooding across our local area.”
Meanwhile, Barrie has accused the leader of Herts county council of sarcastically dismissing pleas for action following previous flooding last week.
After he told Cllr Richard Roberts his customers were being soaked by spray from the flooding when walking down Station Road: “I will not let you hide from this issue! It is simply not acceptable… This is now impacting my ability to trade professionally.”
But Cllr Roberts shrugged off his complaint, adding: “Love the photos, big fan.”
Barrie asked: “Why would you ‘love’ the pictures which clearly show the authority you lead is delinquent in their statutory duties to protect and serve its citizens. Curious.”
Cllr Roberts added: “It has been raining for two days, there is a lot of water about, please keep sending photos.”
Unable to persuade Cllr Roberts to resolve the problem, Barrie told him: “I have a business to run in challenging economic times. I have already committed a lot of time to hold the public authorities to account for the damage to my business, my neighbours and danger to life to the citizens of Harpenden to no avail.
“I find it incredibly depressing, so I will forward all our correspondence to the press for their assessment and reporting of the situation. I have tried and clearly failed to hold anyone to account, or get the flooding issue in Station Road resolved.”
