Action to be taken at flooding-hit car park
TALKS HELD ABOUT SITE WHERE CARS REPEATEDLY GET STRANDED
THE owners of a car park where vehicles repeatedly become submerged following heavy rainfall are to take action to address the problem.
On several occasions in recent years, vehicle owners have returned to the car park opposite Market Harborough railway station, off Rockingham Road, to find their vehicles stranded in floodwater.
The land is on a floodplain where the rivers Jordan and Welland meet and is designed to flood in order to protect neighbouring properties. The latest flooding was in January, although no cars were parked there on that occasion.
The move to tackle the issue follows talks between the owners, Harborough District Council, the Environment Agency and MP Neil O’Brien, pictured.
The owners of the land are to introduce technology to alert them when the river levels are rising so they can close the car park in advance. They also intend to improve signs warning of the risk.
Mr O’Brien said: “It was good to get some response with regard to this car park as it has been incredibly frustrating to see people having their cars damaged by repeated floods.”
An Environment Agency spokesman said: “The car park is a functional floodplain that will store water during high river flows, reducing the risk of flooding to nearby homes and businesses.
“We understand the owners are considering making the site more resilient to flooding. “Should they wish to do so, a flood risk permit will be required, which we can advise upon.”
The Mercury has tried to contact the owners of the car park for a comment.