Floods: Sewage floating in streets (From Witney Gazette)

Floods: Sewage floating in streets

RAW sewage is floating in the streets of the west Oxfordshire village of Kelmscott, the first place in the county where homes have been flooded.

Concern: Charlie Lockhart can't believe his home is flooded again

The health issue has surfaced because there is no mains drainage in the Thames-side village.

Charlie Lockhart, whose home Coles Barn was still being renovated after the July floods but is now under 6in of water, said: "We all have septic tanks.

"Sewage is a real issue, it is floating up out of the tanks into the streets and our homes. In July, it took a month before the smell disappeared."

Chris Stevens, of Memorial Cottages, said: "The water level goes above the tanks and the effluent comes up out into the village. No one seems to know what to do. There are faeces floating around."

Wading: Witney MP and Tory leader David Cameron

Phil Page, head of the council's street scene, said: "There are obviously some health risks when raw sewage comes out of the tanks, including water-borne diseases.

'Flooding is now the number one issue in my area. It is clear that the ditches, culverts, streams and the dredging of rivers has to be done more quickly'

David Cameron MP

"The issue is a serious one for Kelmscott and we will be putting more weight to it by asking Thames Water to bring it higher up on their priority list for mains drainage schemes."

Already 17 properties in the village have suffered flooding, and more rain is expected.

Fire officers have warned residents to barricade their homes with extra sandbags.

About 5,500 sandbags have been handed out by the district council to key areas, including Kelmscott as well as Ascott-under-Wychwood where the River Evenlode burst its banks.

Water was lapping at the doors of Phil Benson's home, Barley Cottage, near Thrupp, between Clanfield and Faringdon.

He is three fields away from the Thames, but he said it was not just the river causing the problem, but ditches which had not yet been cleared since last July's flooding.

"It is ridiculous. I was flooded in July and have just finished renovating, and here it is again. What have they been doing these last six months?"

Witney MP and Tory leader David Cameron donned his Wellington boots today. He said: "Flooding is now the number one issue in my area.

"It is clear that the ditches, culverts, streams and the dredging of rivers has to be done more quickly.

"Our district council has just produced a very good report on the flooding in July and the issues are there. Here we are again and the need for action is urgent."

Today, he listened to concerns from villagers who complained of being overlooked, with the bulk of flood defence concentrated on Oxford.

Mr Cameron said: "The problem is that, on a cost benefit analysis, money is going to the larger towns where there are more homes to protect, than out in isolated communities.

"I can understand where the people of Kelmscott are coming from."

Rain will continue falling until Tuesday at least, according to the Met Office. Up to 10mm of rain is predicted to fall in 72 hours by Sunday morning.