While having the utmost of sympathy for any flooding victims, including those in Lydbrook, victims of Lakeside Avenue, Lydney, who suffered disastrous flooding on Christmas Eve, are at a loss to understand as to why the Review has chosen to ignore their plight?
I personally visited the Review office in early January and spoke to its reporter to discuss the situation, face to face. He stated that there would be a general article on flooding in the next issue, which did appear, but Lydbrook took the headlines, and that an article on Lakeside Avenue would appear in the following week's issue. Unfortunately this was not the case.
I then phoned the editor on Monday January 13 who said that he would discuss this with the reporter on his return to work the following day. Even to date I have still not received the courtesy of a reply from the editor.
So on Thursday I phoned again and spoke this time to the reporter himself. He stated that there was a meeting about the Lydbrook flooding that evening and that the flooding issues of Lakeside Avenue would appear in next week's paper but again this was not to be. In my discussion with this reporter I enquired as to where he lived? To my utter surprise he said 'Lydbrook.'
This, therefore, appears to be the reason as to why, even at the time of writing, the Lakeside Avenue flood victims have not received any courage in the Review and have been completely ignored. Without explanation it is assumed to be down to biased reporting.
For the information of readers, on Christmas Eve, the trash screen at the rear of 115 Lakeside Avenue became blocked with timber that was felled 10 months earlier and should have been removed many months prior to the disaster – but that's another story. The consequences were that seven properties were affected, six of which had never been flooded before.
Among these unfortunate, innocent victims were some frail and elderly people aged 89, 91 and 96 years, in the twilight of their lives, who not only had to be rescued by the Fire Service, but now find it necessary, through no fault of their own, to be housed in temporary accommodation for maybe four to six months.
Colin Legge, who performed heroics, which was not his duty, by unblocking the screen thus preventing a total disaster of Lakeside Avenue, due to a previous claim has no insurance whatsoever.
Apart from Colin there are also serious implications for the other victims and residents. Will they be able to obtain insurance for their present claim or for the future and if so will it be inflated? Will they be ever able to sell their properties and will there be any legal implications?
Despite meetings and discussions over may years the problems with Lakeside Avenue flooding is still ongoing with residents terrified every time there are adverse weather conditions forecast. The residents sincerely trust that recent and further meetings also continue dialogue that will hopefully find a solution and prevent future flooding in the area. To be able to do this both the authorities and residents need fair and proper reporting by the Review – let us remember the paper is actually based in Lydney.
It states in your 'Wat-er cock-up" column – "The councillors, especially, should be ashamed of this chronic lack of communication." The flood victims and residents on Lakeside Avenue believe this statement to be more appropriate to the editor and reporter of the Review.
I conclude by stating what I said in last week's Forester newspaper – who incidently has given excellent coverage of the Lakeside Avenue flooding – "This man-made flooding disaster happened through sheer negligence and has only brought further unwanted stigma to Lakeside Avenue."
– Gordon Blake, Lydney.