URGENT calls are being made to tackle frequent flooding on a subway under a busy dual carriageway in Cirencester which makes it unusable. 

Parents with schoolchildren, workers and elderly residents who live in Watermoor use the underpass which connects Meadow Road to Sperringate everyday as a shortcut to get to the St Michael's area or the town centre.

However, in periods of heavy rain the walkway under the A429 Bristol Road dual carriageway is flooded with up to nine inches of filthy water making it impassable.

The issue was highlighted when it was closed for a few days last week. 

Pedestrians are forced to walk the long way around Chesterton - which adds around 15 minutes to their journey - or to take the dangerous option of running across the busy road above.

It has become more of a recurring issue in recent months as gullies and drains have become frequently blocked.

Resident Ross Sampson shared these shocking images on social media last Tuesday, December 12 and warned pedestrians to avoid the route.  

Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard: Flooding in the subway connecting Meadow Road and Sperringate in Cirencester on December 12 Flooding in the subway connecting Meadow Road and Sperringate in Cirencester on December 12 (Image: Ross Sampson)
Chesterton district councillor Roly Hughes is now demanding urgent action.

"Residents have been complaining to me about flooding here for the past four years," he said.

"And as the gullies get increasingly blocked, the flooding becomes more frequent.

Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard: Cllr Hughes pointing at the clogged gully in the subwayCllr Hughes pointing at the clogged gully in the subway (Image: Camilla Foster)

"It has flooded around six or seven times in the last year alone.

"It is the most used subway in Cirencester and is not being maintained properly.

"This is a safety concern as it is mainly used by parents taking their children to Cirencester Primary School or by elderly residents going into town.

"Last time it rained heavily the subway stayed flooded for nearly two weeks.

Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard: Flooding near the entrance of the subway Flooding near the entrance of the subway (Image: Ross Sampson)
"When it is impassable residents have either walk around the Chesterton way which adds around 15 minutes to their journey, walk across the dangerous A429 road or have to pay for buses or taxis.

"Someone needs to regularly unblock and pressure wash the drains and gullies.

"I have tried to contact Gloucestershire County Council about this on numerous occasions but all they do is put a sign out.

"They need to get off their backsides and sort this out."

Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard: Inside the subway which connects Meadow Road to Sperringate in CirencesterInside the subway which connects Meadow Road to Sperringate in Cirencester (Image: Camilla Foster)
A spokesperson for GCC said: “We are aware of the issue at this underpass and have now investigated it.

“Following investigations, we have determined that a repair is needed.

"This will involve excavating and we will be including this in our programme of works. 

“Until repairs are made, the subway will need to be closed for safety reasons if flooding occurs, we apologise to residents for any inconvenience caused at this time.”