LANDOWNERS in and around Clevedon have been urged to make sure any ditches they are responsible for are kept clear to prevent flooding.
The call has been made after a number of cottages in the Court Lane area on the outskirts of town were affected by flood water rising up beneath their floor boards following heavy rain overnight between October 2-3.
Councillor for the area, David Shopland, said at a Clevedon Town Council meeting on October 3: “There has been major flooding in Court Lane where five or six cottages have had water come up through the floors. This the first time for 30-40 years.
“We believe this is largely due to local land owners not maintaining their ditches and North Somerset Council not clearing gullies.
“I have advised residents to get their insurance companies to claim against land owners and the council under duty of care.
“We should write to North Somerset Council to see if they would highlight the fact to landowners that they have a duty to keep their own drains clear otherwise they could be liable for damage to property.”
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