Forum Topic

I spoke with a resident of Epworth Road this evening.He awoke on Thursday morning to the sound of shouting and some mayhem and thought it was the kids across the road.Looking out of his first floor window he could see firemen and a bit of a lake! He had a fright to see his porch had 2 inches of water but outside it was even higher! He was to suffer like everyone else around.It was an alarming experience for him and his family.They'd just spent a small fortune on ground floor improvements and a new frig freezer. All was ruined.He had two cars in the driveway. Both were a write off.His wife had recently had an operation and the shock of it all hasn't helped her recuperation at all. "She's taken it badly"He had high praise for the help and quick responses from Thames Water and the sub-contractors they employed.  The first night they were moved to to the Holiday Inn at Brentford Bridge. No free food..but they were given a £10 a day food vouchers each.But the second night (Friday)they were transferred to the dreaded (my words) Osterley Park Hotel on the Great West Road. Loud Bangla music half the night, and an awful breakfast. "My breakfast sausage was still half frozen!"(That's rings a bell..my words)."Seen no Councillors" "I missed the MP's visit" "No visits to me from Hounslow Council and I come back here quite a lot" JL: " Have you received any cash yet?" "No""The insurance companies are very slow" "The gypies are down here, knicking the contaminated goods from outside unoccupied houses and there isn't a bigger Police presence either" so the resident said." I've contacted the Council about an abatement of Council Tax as my house won't be habitable for many months" "The response from them was not friendly and helpful.""You'll have to supply a letter etc etc""I was told by them!)"That was just one five minute story. Oh to be a prospective Councillor..one could have a field day..working the area and getting oneself known for being helpful! But that's for others.

Jim Lawes ● 5734d

Yes, well said Jim.  I wonder if Seccombes (Isleworth based) were supplying the sand bags from their larger Croydon Depot?  Surely it wouldn’t be Croydon Council keeping reserves for Hounslow Borough!!The  dustcarts arrived in the flooded areas at 8am on Saturday morning..and were taking away the evidence of debris!  This Canon Ixus 500 camera arrived just in time!  The piles of damaged items in the front gardens was just the start at some houses. There was more to take away…. ..indoors!This colourful furniture looks in better condition than some of mine…but it had to go because of fear of contamination. href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/finlandia_175/4891667558/" title="BRENTFORD London Road Flood by Helsinki 275, on Flickr">The London Road looked calm at 8am Saturday.. yet damaged.The office on the right side there had TWO lots of flooding.  The basement was filled chin high with water on Thursday…and after the water had been pumped out they brought in professionals to dry the place out!    Then 24 hours later the water filled the basement again!!!!Damaged documents could be seen airing at the window.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------So for the second time the “Drying the place out with our special machine” contractor had to start all over again..with a little help from a local! :0)Meanwhile, round the corner in Lodge Close…the dustmen are awaited.I understand that the local MP Mary Macleod has visited the scene  and spoken with residents and Engineers.

Jim Lawes ● 5739d

The tide marks around some of the houses and buildings is jaw dropping.Opposite the Coach and Horses Pub Car Park, the houses have front gardens half filled with flood damaged property..settees and electrical equipment, carpets and much more.The smart offices next door to the Pub are occupied by a firm of Structural Engineers. When they arrived for work at 8am ish Thursday there were faced with the shocking prospect of all their archival records in the substantal basement being lost! Senior staff there tonight said the water was up to chin height in the basement!The pub got away with little damage because of it's raised location..but the Manager said tonight that the cellar and an area round the back copped it. Tonight musicians were moving into the Pub... whilst outside the mechanical digger looked as though it might be about to do some work.Posh Syon Lodge, Mr Crowther's fine property was affected too. Their basement areas. But they seem to have knuckled down and cleared up.Although all the houses on the north side of London Road got a bashing (and some residents relocated) the worst scenes tonight are on that small estate backing onto Syon Park (Lodge Close and and the sheltered accommodation at Fenn House). The sea level would appear to be lower there..and the tide marks on the side of houses were above my knees. Blimey what a shock those people had when they strolled downstairs for Thursday's breakfast.The human suffering looks to have been quite serious..and I'm sure Hounslow Homes and others have been well involved.  Furniture and belongings is piled up outside the little homes in Lodge close...and Fenn House looks largely vacated as the ground floor would have had a hammering.Shame no camera with me this evening..and there's no Brentford and Times to do the honours.I hope Syon Councillors got involved,and certainly the Council..maybe Prince Charles next week!Water Board? Dodgy pipes? Await our claims and pay up quick!  This serious incident needs more in depth reporting.The human cost has been substantial on the brentford scale.

Jim Lawes ● 5741d