A MONMOUTH town councillor has condemned Monmouthshire County Council for ignoring the plight of residents in the town blighted by floods.
Councillor Gary Whitcombe of Watery Lane, Monmouth has branded the council 'useless' when it comes to solving the area's problems, and is begging for something to be done.
The flooding occurs at both Watery Lane and Rockfield Road when small adjacent watercourses running to the Wye and Monnow are unable to discharge water when the rivers are full.
The problem has been apparent for a number of years, but Cllr Whitcombe feels it has been exacerbated by recent developments in the area.
"The council just don't want to know - they're useless," he said.
"When the flooding occurred I believe I was the only one who went around to see the residents.
"It is a ridiculous situation - you have to drive all the way down to Abergavenny and back around to get to Monmouth."
Cllr Whitcombe has built up a wealth of information on the problems, documenting climate changes, advice from the Building Research Establishment and the views of a number of scientists and officials.
He has presented this information, along with a 308-name petition to the council in a bid to prove the serious nature of the dilemma.
"This has gone on long enough - something has to be done soon."
"We would like to see further measures brought in and the road of Ash Lane to Field House Farm Estate opened for use when the flooding is at its worse."
A spokesperson for the Environment Agency Wales, explained that they were aware of the problem and that they had fulfilled their responsibilities in looking after the major rivers.
"The smaller tributaries which cause the problems in this case are the county council's responsibility," he explained.
"We are currently working with them to provide new measures to minimise the risk of flooding in this area.
"As for developments on flood planes, it is our role to discourage councils from building on these areas, and if we see any problems we will look into them at the planning stage."
Head of Traffic and Development at the council Bill Parsons explained that he was looking into ways of relieving the problems.
"With the new development at Watery Lane, we are about to begin a new drainage scheme which will be in place by the winter to stop the floods occurring," he said.
"We are also looking into Rockfield Road."
"I would dispute what Cllr Whitcombe said about us not providing help because we gave a lot of emergency relief and aid last year, to those affected."
"I think everyone will agree that last year's flooding was an exceptional case."
Mr Parsons went on to explain why the Field House Farm Estate road would not be suitable for use as a relief route.
"I know the road - a link was made last time and the traffic was limited to that from the estate," he added.
"I think opening it to more traffic would make it very unsafe."
"However, we do sympathise with those affected and we are trying to solve the problems with flooding as soon as possible."