Mark Barclay, a resident of West Challow in the Vale of White Horse, has voiced concerns over a dangerously flooded road in the area, nicknamed “Lake Challow” by locals. The high volume of water has caused significant safety issues for residents and damaged nearby properties.
Mr. Barclay stated that he has been in contact with the council for nearly four years regarding the road’s condition. He emphasized that the drainage system in the area is inefficient, with many drains either blocked by mud or installed incorrectly. The recurring flooding has started to compromise the brickwork of his home, and the erosion of the road’s bank has destabilized his fence.
To raise awareness and seek solutions, Mr. Barclay has been using Fix My Street, a website where locals report council-related issues. He has also contacted the County Council leader but has not seen significant progress. Recently, contractors attempted to address the problem, but Mr. Barclay claims their efforts have only exacerbated the issue. “They merely put tarmac into the hole,” he explained, “which does nothing to fix the blocked drains.”
The ongoing issues at Lake Challow have raised concerns among residents. The road is commonly used by walkers and horse riders, who now face additional risks. There have been reports of children injuring themselves after slipping on the road, and delivery drivers have been noted for driving recklessly in the hazardous area.
When asked for a response, Oxfordshire County Council stated that they plan to jet and clear the existing drainage system by the end of next week. Additionally, they are investigating multiple pothole problems in the area. The council has added this road to their list of future proposed drainage improvement projects. However, they noted that the priority level of this location would be weighed against other high-priority sites in the county and addressed based on future budgets.
The council assured residents that they would continue to monitor the location closely, taking action to repair defects as needed, in line with their highway inspection policy.
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