RESIDENTS fed up with a 20-year fight against flooding in their street have signed a petition urging Wiltshire County Council to tackle the problem before someone gets hurt.

The group, from Elms Cross Drive, Bradford on Avon, live with a constant stream of running water, which flows over a path and out onto Frome Road.

Residents say the path's steps are slimy all year round and in winter the water freezes, making it hazardous for people living nearby.

The council had written to an 80-year-old resident saying the problem was her responsibility and she should drain her garden.

Mollie Prior received a letter from the council a few weeks ago.

She said: "The water comes from the field above my garden and then flows all the way down the path and into the road.

"I suppose because it runs through my garden I feel sort of responsible, but I have no idea how much it would cost to solve the problem and there's not really anything I can do."

Residents of Elms Cross Drive met local councillors this week in an effort to resolve the 20-year-old problem.

A spokesman for the county council said: "We will not now be serving Mrs Prior with an order to sort out the problem, as it has become clear that it's uncertain where the water is actually coming from.

"Once we have established that we can take the appropriate action."

Mrs Prior's neighbour Bill Reed said there used to be a pond in the field and he believes the problem started when the pond was drained two decades ago.

Mr Reed said: "We are all concerned because we cannot walk down the path at the moment, and it is very dangerous.

"It is also a hazard for cars and one day there could be a very serious accident."

County councillor Malcolm Hewson will be meeting residents this week to discuss the flooding.

He said: "There has been a long-running problem in Elms Cross Drive with water running off fields onto an adopted path, resulting in it being slippery and very dangerous in winter.

"The county council's claim that the problem is down to the residents to sort out is insensitive, and there's evidence that even if residents do what the county council is asking it would not solve the problem.

"I do not want residents forced into doing something if it won't solve the problem in the long term."