Storm Ciarán: Swindon residents given sandbags over flooding risk

Swindon residents with a home at risk of flooding have been given sandbags.

Urgent action was taken by Swindon Borough Council ahead of Storm Ciarán, which is expected to batter the South West over the coming 48 hours.

It’s hoped the sandbags will provide an extra measure of protection for their properties.

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Residents in Peregrine Close, Covingham, were provided with 240 sandbags on top of the significant number already provided following Storm Babet.

Sandbags can be requested from the council’s highways team, but there is a limited supply and each request is assessed on an individual basis.

Drainage workers have undertaken preventative gully cleaning in known places where flooding has previously affected residents. These areas include those close to culverts rivers and streams.

Swindon Borough Council said it has placed additional staff on standby to provide emergency assistance with drainage issues and clearances reported during Storm Ciarán.

Extra highways inspectors and operatives will also be on call to help local residents out of hours, if required.

Incidents of flooding or standing water can be reported via the council website, as can drainage or sewage problems.

Councillor Chris Watts, Cabinet Member for the Environment and Transport, said: “Our teams have been working incredibly hard over the last few weeks to support residents who have been affected by the recent flooding, responding to well over a hundred flooding and drainage enquiries.

“Unfortunately, we know another spell of bad weather is on the way so we are doing what we can to minimise potential issues caused by Storm Ciarán.

“Over the last few days we have been out to those residents who were affected by the flooding a couple of weeks ago to make sure they have enough sandbags and we will also have teams on standby to help residents where we can.

“I would encourage residents to keep themselves and others safe during the storm and, if high winds do affect the Borough, to secure their property and any waste and recycling they put out for collection.

“If you spot any flooding, standing water or trees that may have fallen, please report it as soon as you can to the Council via the website and we will deal with these on a priority basis.”

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