Flood work might be a mistake

Margo Corbett-Matthews, 79, of Preston Road, Weymouth, is upset at the work being carried out by Weymouth and Portland council for the Preston Brook flood alleviation scheme.

But the authority denied it could pose problems and said it was for the good of the whole community. Mrs Corbett-Matthews, a retired secretary, said that there was a flood at Preston in 1993 when the grid of an existing culvert in her garden got blocked and parts of the village flooded.

Mrs Corbett-Matthews said: "My garage was under water and some nearby homes were flooded as well." She said that because of this she had bank work done in her garden along the line of the brook and there had been no flooding since, but she is now worried that the new council work could change that.

Mrs Corbett-Matthews said: "Is this dam flood alleviation work? I don't think so.

"It was not needed and I am worried that it may actually bring the flooding problem back. It is ludicrous.

"I was told that I had no choice in the matter. I already have one culvert in my garden but the council said the work was needed for extra flood safeguards."

Weymouth and Portland highways and design manager Robert George explained that the work involved creating a flood overflow structure in Mrs Corbett-Matthews' garden. He added: "We are not in the business of making flooding worse for anyone.

"The overflow structure is part of the Preston Brook flood alleviation scheme to reduce flooding for the community at large.

"This structure in Mrs Corbett-Matthews' garden will take off peak flood flow and prevent other homes from flooding.

"We can understand her concerns but we have done everything we possibly can. We would be happy to talk to her and explain what is happening."

Mr George added that the creation of the overflow structure was merely one part of ongoing work for the overall flood alleviation scheme for Preston Brook which it was hoped would protect vulnerable properties from the brook.