Resident releases raft of ducks to highlight flooding

A MAN who is fed up of his front garden being turned into a “lake” when it rains has opted for an eye-catching stunt to raise awareness of his plight.

Graham Sebury, 62, says when there is heavy rain, four inches of water puddles outside his home on the Penybryn estate in Merthyr Tydfil.

He says the problem has blighted his home for three years and no-one will listen.

He has put rubber ducks outside his home to highlight the issue and says he has to use breeze blocks and planks to get out of his front door.

He has also added signs saying “No Diving” and “No lifeguard on duty – swim at your own risk”.

He said: “We did it just to show how pathetic it is. We want this sorted. I’ve lived here for 20 years and never had a problem before.”

Mr Sebury claims the problem started three years ago when a gas main was installed for heating in a neighbouring property by Merthyr Valleys Homes.

He claims workers filled in an area meant to be left unfilled resulting in surface water coming into his property every time there is heavy rain.

But Merthyr Valleys Homes said it could find no link between the work carried out by for its tenant and the flooding problem.

They told Mr Sebury he would have to prove it had responsibility before it would act.

Now desperate, he says he hopes his stunt will finally bring attention to the conditions he is living in.

He said: “It’s not going to cost them a lot [to fix it], but they’re saying it’s not their water.”

Methyr Valleys Homes say there is a responsibility for a landowner to deal with surface water individually, and the problem does not concern it as Graham is a private owner, and not a tenant.

In a statement, it said: “Mike Owen, our chief executive has personally visited Mr Sebury at his home, as have other officers from Merthyr Valleys Homes.

“Our position on the matter is unchanged in that we do not intend to carry out any further investigations, particularly on a private property.”

Mr Sebury has already got his next stunt lined up.

He said: “I’ve bought a Mickey Mouse lifebelt and a dolphin and a shark for the next big rainfall just to show how petty they are being.”