THE COTSWOLD MP has pledged to continue to put pressure on relevant officials to tackle flooding and sewage issues in the Fairford area. 

Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown recently set up the Fairford Water and Sewage Issues Joint Working Group and its first meeting was held on Monday, January 15.

Fairford residents, town councillors and representatives from Thames Water and The Environmental Agency attended the meeting to discuss some of the prominent flooding issues in the area. 

Residents spoke about how the River Coln, which runs through Fairford, bursts its banks during periods of heavy rain which often results in flooding.

Councillors from Kempsford Parish Council were also invited to the meeting because the river also flows through Kempsford. 

In addition, some residents expressed concerns about the increasing amount of foul waste which is being transported via tankers from Kempsford into Fairford's sewage system.

Thames Water representatives agreed to look into why this was happening. 

In addition, concerns were raised about the impact the floods were having on a nearby SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) protected lake. 

A presentation was given about the work being undertaken by Thames Water to reduce the amount of surface water entering the sewer system.

The Cotswold MP hopes that bringing the relevant parties together will help create solutions to some of the flooding issues that his constituents have raised.

A second Fairford Water and Sewage Issues Joint Working Group meeting has been scheduled for Monday, March 25 to see if any progress has been made.
 
The Cotswold MP said: “As a result of our half-yearly flooding meetings putting pressure on the relevant officials, I am delighted that the follow-up is now taking place.

"The proposal made at the flood meeting in November to create a Fairford Water and Sewage Issues Joint Working Group has meant we’ve got this group formed.

"Hopefully, this will lead to a solution to these problems.

“I remain ready to support it to ensure there is real progress, and will be more than willing to examine the problems if they have not been solved at the next flooding meeting.”