We feel abandoned say residents hit again by flooding

The basements of five homes at Sandbed Villas, Charlestown, were flooded and possessions inside ruined after the downpour caused water in a culvert to burst through a wall and across the main road between Todmorden and Hebden Bridge, leaving tonnes of black silt in its wake.

Residents yesterday said they felt they had been abandoned.

Debra Haswell said: “I don’t know how many tonnes of silt are on the driveway, on the lawn, and we just can’t get rid of it. No one is accepting responsibility. It was too much for the culvert and it took the wall down and it came straight down the main road and flooded the house.

“We have been flooded three times in three months but nothing like this. It just poured in. It was like a river coming down the drive.”

Stephen Warriner, who was helping his uncle Jack clean up yesterday, said: “I am looking at 2ft of mud on his lawn. He’s lost fridges, freezers, possessions in the cellar, and a brand new car that has 700 miles on the clock. We’ve had no help whatsoever, from the Environment Agency, Calderdale Council. Everybody seems to be disclaiming responsibility.”

Firefighters also pumped thousands of gallons of water from the main A646, which was closed for nine hours. It’s the third time the area has been hit by flooding this summer.

Ward councillor Dave Young, who lives in Hebden Bridge, said Hebden Water nearly burst its banks. He said: “The whole town had the sandbags out – the council, police and fire brigade were out working, as were lots of volunteers.”