New drainage helps free busy lane of waterlogging

Winter flooding problems that have plagued residents of Horsenden Lane, Princes Risborough, have been solved thanks to a £720,000 county wide drainage improvement programme.

It’s one of 26 schemes to rid Buckinghamshire’s drainage problem spots of regular waterlogging.

This one is right at the centre of a national walking and cycling route and regularly floods to a depth of six inches, says local County Councillor Bill Bendyshe-Brown.

‘It’s been a long-term winter problem,’ said Bill. ‘It’s not just that it was inconvenient for visitors and residents, the regular flooding has damaged the road in places.’

It was included in the list of serious flooding problems after Transport for Buckinghamshire representatives met with residents, one of whom had reported to the County Council thather elderly mother ‘kept having to wade through water and silt every time she visited’.

Bill, who has been liaising with residents, said: ‘The team investigating found tree roots had invaded drains and discovered blocked drains we didn’t know existed.’

Now parts of Horsenden Lane have been resurfaced, silt and debris excavated from ditches, drains unblocked and new drains installed.

Neighbours are delighted. Resident Karen Williams said: ‘We’re all so pleased this problem has at last been looked at, and we’re thrilled the work has been done.’

Buckinghamshire County Council Transport Cabinet Member Mark Shaw said: ‘This is a great example of the County Council working with residents at a local level to make life better. I’m very pleased we’ve been able to make these improvements before the ravages of the winter weather, and my warmest thanks go to the team for making it happen.

‘Our investment in this scheme will do a great deal to prolong the life of Horsenden Lane surface, as indeed it will at the other 25 locations.’

Horsenden Lane and its footpaths, which form part of the Phoenix Trail – national route 57 – are used annually by several thousand walkers and cyclists.

Of the 26 drainage schemes in this year’s programme, 17 have been completed, and the remaining nine will be started in the New Year.