30th November 2007

Slad Brook blockage could have caused flooding

Rubble and debris have been unearthed by cavers investigating the causes of the devastating flooding of Slad Brook in the summer. Barrels, furniture including a bed, 12 footballs and even three surfboards were found lodged in the culvert which carries the brook underground through the lower reaches of Slad Road.

Cavers from Gloucester Speleological Society waded and crawled through 120 metres of knee-high water to survey the channel but the investigation was curtailed after four hours when the team discovered a 7ft blockage near the bottom of Slad Road which highlighted a risk of the roof collapsing. Another buckling arch was found slightly further upstream where the channel is only about 10cm deep due to silt and gravel build up.

The findings, revealed this week, begin to offer some answers to members of the Slad Brook Action Group, formed to try and alleviate future flooding around the water course. In July, torrential rain left houses, a convenience store, a pharmacy and a doctor's surgery, awash in Slad Road.

Sarah Lunnon, SBAG chair and local District councillor, said: "It's extremely positive that they have sent someone out and we welcome the Environment Agency's action but clearing the very narrow culverts is only a small part of what is needed to prevent flooding. However, they are willing to look at the issus of flood alleviation with us."

The Environment Agency this week sent its contractors, On Site, to carry out a survey of the culvert at the bottom of Slad Road and further downstream, below ground level along Merrywalks.

Stroud District Council has pledged £15,000 of the £60,000 Government flood relief fund to help SBAG establish a water retention plan to prevent future flooding. It has also set aside a share of £15,000 to clear rubble and debris from the channel. The EA are due to meet SBAG members this week.

Sarah Lunnon added: "The group has appealed to the Gloucestershire Flood Relief Fund to open up its grants to community groups working on flood alleviation as well as to individuals left stricken by July's deluge. We will also continue to investigate the creation of an attenuation (holding) pond higher up the Slad valley."