Pub beer fest hit by road flood warnings

A PUB’S charity beer festival was left washed out after flood warnings closed access roads.

The Dog in a Doublet pub. alonside the River Nene between Peterborough and Whittlesey, staged the festival to raise money for the Have a Heart appeal this weekend.

But as continuous rain meant a rising river level, Environment Agency officials slapped a flood warning on the access roads and closed them to motorists.

The warnings are for the North Bank Road, along the River Nene, and the B1040 at Thorney to Whittlesey Road, and were issued after a record breaking amount of rain fell in April.

But landlord John Mcginn said there was no need for the roads to be closed.

He said: “The roads have been closed for about a week, but not one part of the roads have been flooded.

“You can see the water level is higher than normal, but it would be nice if the authorities could keep an eye on it and only close the road when it is needed to be closed.

“We did 170 covers for Sunday lunch, but for the band on Sunday night we had just 30 people.

“I don’t want people to take risks but there is no need for the road to be closed. There is also always a way to get to the pub, even if the main road is closed.”

Mr Mcginn, who re-opened the pub in December last year, said he had been told about the problems by previous owners, but this was the first time he had experienced them since taking over.

A spokeswoman for The Environment Agency said issuing the flood warnings was essential.

She said: “We had 300 per cent more rainfall in April compared to the year on year average.

“The flood warnings at this time of year are not unprecedented but it is rare to see.

“The water is flowing off hard surfaces, like roads, into the river.

“It is only just starting to soak through the soil into the underground water supplies, which will be good for easing the drought.

“If you are concerned about flooding in your neighbourhood, then keep checking our website, www.environment-agency.gov.uk, or call the Floodline on 0845 988 1188.”

charity event: Dog in a Doublet owners John Mcginn and Della Mills.