FOLLOWING on from Ross-on-Wye being flooded for the third time this year, local MP Jesse Norman is calling for a permanent solution to be found to the drainage issues affecting Brookend Street.

Mr Norman revisited the site again last week after the latest episode of flooding in order to discuss potential solutions with local councillors Katie Fowler and Milly Boylan, and traders, including Leon Davies.

The MP expressed his deep concern at the continuing lack of effective drainage on Brookend Street in Ross.

With the councillors' support, Mr Norman alerted Herefordshire Council and Welsh Water to the immediate need for more sandbags in the face of expected rain last weekend, and these were rapidly delivered by Welsh Water on Saturday.

Commenting, Mr Norman said: "Shopkeepers on Brookend Street have got used to occasional flooding over the years when the river rises. But this repeated flooding from rainwater is something new.

"It was plain to see that the drains were not clearing, and the pavement is already riding up at the entrance to Red Meadow Car Park.

"It is great that the resurfacing of Broad Street has now been done, and that has made a huge difference.

"Now we need the same focus and attention to getting the drains opened up and if necessary expanded and rebuilt in Brookend Street."

A Herefordshire Council spokesperson said: “We are working with Welsh Water to understand the causes and mechanisms of the latest incident. Whilst there will be times when any system is simply unable to cope with extreme volumes of rainfall, both ourselves and Welsh Water are committed to finding a permanent solution to reduce the risk of the flood events that have been seen since May.”