A3102 Flooded
10th February 2009
Despite frequent calls by residents to council and RAF representatives at the monthly Parish Council meetings, requesting the roadside ditches, kerbs and drains are cleared from over grown foliage and waste, we have experienced flooding on a primary route within the village, which normally would not be a problem if maintained appropriately. Lyneham has been assessed by the Environment Agency as an area not at risk, but this categorisation may have to be reassessed, if the routine husbandry of our parish highways is not carried out regularly.

During the day, many motorist struggled to get through the rising water which had over spilled from the road side ditches. The affected area between the Melsome Road junction and Goatacre village along the A3102, flooded in an area which is situated 125.9m above sea level, adjacent to the RAF Lyneham C site entrance. The road drops at least four metres as you travel towards Melsome Road and also drops to 121.1m towards Goatacre. The village is situated on a plateau and elevated above most outlining villages, still flooded in this proximity. One motorist, who became stranded in the water questioned why this part of the road flooded when water was supposed to run down hill. "It is not the lowest point here and it looks like the ditches and drains are blocked again."

Information received from the Met Office last night, advised that severe weather was expected including heavy rain and a risk of snow. The outbreaks of rain would be persistent and combine this with melting snow, may lead to localised flooding. The prominent flood areas within North Wiltshire, were not as bad as originally anticipated but a concern of low risk areas becoming flood areas is a worry for residents.

Following the major floods of July 2007, residents have been asking the Parish Council and RAF to ensure that the ditches and drains in their boundaries are cleared and maintained regularly, reducing the risk of flooding and damage to property. The ditch which runs parallel to the airbase perimeter, along the A3102 Lyneham to Calne has been a noticeable area where the essential maintenance has not been dredged. Following seasons of growth, and persistent requests to the council and RAF, the grass and vegetation was eventually cropped last fall and the residue left to decompose. However, previous years missed maintenance has resulted in the ditches becoming filled with silt and waste thus not being effective as they should be to take the rainfall away.

The Met Office: www.metoffice.gov.uk
The Environment Agency: www.environment-agency.gov.uk
Lyneham's Current Weather: More
North Wiltshire Flood Risk Areas more..