FOLLOWING a fortnight of floods, Harefield people say they feel ignored by Hillingdon Council.

At a Harefield Tenants’ and Residents’ Association (HTRA) meeting on Monday last week, people said they felt the authority had not done all it could to ease the flooding threat.

Now HTRA has sent a letter to the council’s floodwater management officer. It reads: “Serious reservations were expressed as to the level of flood protection being offered to certain residents in the currently flooded or threatened areas.

“It is realised that these events are historical, to say the least, and that the council does not have the resources to deal with every flooding event, but there are recorded instances when preventative measures could have been taken and were not.”

People say some ditches have not been cleaned or maintained.

Ray Davies, of Springwell Lane, re-dug a ditch along the side of his road with a garden trowel after his garage became flooded. The 74-year-old says he and two friends also spent four hours in the rain clearing blocked drains which had caused the same road to be flooded with a foot of water.

“We were lifting the heavy drain covers up ourselves. The system would work fine if it was kept clean.”

The letter also asks for it to be made clearer where responsibility lies.

“Thames Water may control the surface and foul water infra-structure, but can the council actually gain access to these properties in the event of an emergency?” it asks.

“Due to high winds, many trees have broken or fallen. Some were on private land but fell across a footpath or roadway. Who should be notified and who will clear the debris?”

It also asks if the council intends to discuss with Thames Water the possibility of increasing drain capacity.

“We have all been told that there is sufficient capacity to meet the local needs of Park Lane and the area around Salamander Quay. Events have shown this to be incorrect.

“Since Christmas Eve 2012, there has been ‘hydraulic overload’ on more than six occasions. This means residents have found their toilet systems backing up.This is due to excess surface water.”

The letter finishes by asking officers meet HTRA representatives and explain what they can and cannot do to help.

Councillor Henry Higgins, who represents the village, said: “Officers are working extremely hard to make sure everything we could have done, has been done.”

Everyone affected by the weather should send written and photographic evidence to the council and concerns should be reported at: www.hillingdon.gov.uk/reportit.

n Our battered borough: page 22. Go to getwestlondon for flood pictures