Norfolk homeowners feel helpless due to flooding risk

They say confusion over who is responsible for maintaining sections of waterways is leading to a greater risk of major incidents happening.

It comes amid a rise in serious flooding events - most recently in Attleborough which led to more than 130 homes being affected in October last year.

Lynn Shortt and her husband Hans, with their dog Rainbow, surveying the damage in their kitchen after the flood (Image: Lynn Shortt)

ON HIGH ALERT

Among those calling for change are couple Lynn and Hans Shortt, who faced another Christmas in temporary accommodation after their home was devastated in the deluge -  the second time in just three years.

Mrs Shortt, 62, who lives in Mill Lane, said: "It is heartbreaking. We can't live like this. You have to be on high alert all the time which is very wearing.

"We have been fighting for something to change for years and it took all of these homes to get flooded before people began taking notice. The stress has been huge."

The culvert next to Mr and Mrs Shortt's home in Attleborough shortly before the October floods (Image: Lynn Shortt)

The couple's home sits next to a culvert covered by a trash screen which frequently becomes blocked with debris.

Through the common law of riparian ownership, it has become their responsibility to maintain this section of the drain after Anglian Water relinquished its ownership of the watercourse.

But it means Mr Shortt, 70, has been "risking his life" to keep it clear, standing precariously upon the screen at all hours of the day attempting to clear debris when river levels get high.

Hans Shortt, 70, has said he has been putting himself in danger to keep the culvert and trash screen clear next to his home (Image: Owen Sennitt)

"We get told not to put ourselves in danger but no one else wants to take responsibility for it. Some people don't know it is their responsibility to maintain streams near their homes and don't appreciate what is involved until it affects them."

The ditch in Suton Street (Image: Owen Sennitt)

"WE LIVE IN CONSTANT FEAR"

In nearby Suton, Holly Drewery, who lives with her husband and two children, have faced frequent flooding and fear it is only a matter of time before it happens again amid recent heavy rain.

Despite doing everything they can do to maintain the ditch near their home - they believe the problems are exacerbated by other home and landowners not fulfilling their duties.

READ MORE: River levels rising in Norfolk after heavy rain

Ditches full of water in Suton, which are facing problems with drainage (Image: Owen Sennitt)

The 37-year-old said: "We live in constant fear that it will keep happening and any time a forecast of heavy rain is predicted we worry.

"You can do everything you can to maintain what you are responsible for but if other drains are not properly maintained then there is not much we can do and we will keep getting flooded.

"Look at what happened in Besthorpe and Attleborough – it is clearly a big issue that won’t be solved by one individual homeowner. It needs collective action."

The River Thet, which flows through Attleborough to Thetford, has burst its banks on a number of occasions in recent years (Image: Denise Bradley)

WHAT IS RIPARIAN OWNERSHIP?

Understanding who is responsible for maintaining waterways can often lead to confusion, leading to a greater risk of flooding.

If a watercourse - such as a stream or culvert -  runs through, beneath or adjacent to the boundary of a land you own, it is presumed you have responsibility for maintaining it.

This is based on a historic common law, known as riparian ownership.

Riparian means ‘next to water’. People who live on, own or lease land next to a watercourse are 'riparian owners' and are responsible for maintaining the free flow of water for those downstream.

You may have to pay for any damages and could face legal action if there is a lack of maintenance.

Mid Norfolk MP George Freeman (Image: George Freeman)

CAMPAIGN FOR CHANGE

Mid Norfolk MP George Freeman has been a vocal campaigner on the issue and is calling for legal reform to be introduced.

He said: "The rise in serious flooding in Norfolk over the last few years is caused by several factors: climate change, new housing estates with inadequate drain infrastructure but also a serious lack of maintenance of our rivers, drains, ditches and culverts.  

"And a lack of clearly understood legal responsibilities.

"Traditionally our rivers were maintained by the drainage boards and ditches by farmers and landowners to keep rainwater draining away.

"But with the Environment Agency now putting habitats ahead of drainage, and agencies like Anglian Water giving up riparian rights to maintain ditches and culverts, and councils powerless to force big developers to install proper drainage, we have a perfect storm.

Drone images show flooding in the Norfolk Broads this past week (Image: Mike Page)

"We need a clearer set of legal obligations - with fines if necessary to fund compensation and remedial work - on large-scale developers, on the Environment Agency and any negligent landowners to maintain drain infrastructure." 

For now, Norfolk County Council - the lead flood authority - has said it can use its powers to serve notice on landowners if their properties include waterways that are not maintained.

Blocked waterways can be reported by calling 0344 800 8013 or online via norfolk.gov.uk/flooding.