Feelings of despair from flood victims (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Feelings of despair from flood victims

8:41am Wednesday 16th January 2008 in Swindon

A FAMILY who only moved back into their home five days ago following last summer's floods say that they are terrified their home will be flooded again.

The Winchcombes had been back at their house in Partridge Close, Covingham, for a matter of hours when torrential downpours fell on Friday.

And their feelings of despair were compounded yesterday when an inch of rain caused flooding to neighbouring properties.

Jason Winchcombe, 18, said that his parents were too distressed to speak about the possibility of further damage.

He said that the family had felt alienated since their home underwent a £10,000 renovation.

He said: "We have been living in rented accommodation since the flooding for about five months costing around £8,000.

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"As our insurance company was not willing to help, we have had to pay for the rental property out of our own pocket, not to mention about half of the renovations.

"Although our home hasn't been flooded yet, last night it came dangerously close and today the neighbours were flooded.

"We were so relieved to be back at home on Friday, but at the same time you tend to have a feeling of being terrified that it could rain at any time.

"We have this sense of being alienated. Not many people have paid attention."

Jason, who has lived in the house his whole life, feels homes being built on floodplains, the lack of action by the council and other agencies and climate change are to blame for the flooding.

He added: "The council don't even talk to us. We have had one letter to the house briefing us but nothing else.

"There have been no improvements to the drains and as far as I know they are still blocked.

"They had a plan to build embankments, but they have not been done. Here it is 2008 and they are still talking about it while the people like us are left to suffer.

"The environment agency have been out to dredge the river, but obviously they didn't do it enough."

In terms of the future Jason says that although the family would prefer to move out in the future, there is more fear that the home would not be well received on the market.

He said: "As it stands we basically expect that the house will be flooded again within the next six months.

"This is our home and we are not planning to move out after 24 years.

"However, when my parents do want to sell there is a fear that people will not be interested as both Covingham, and our home, was built on a flood plain."