A man has spoken of the 'chaos and stress' of neighbours after a major flood in Reading earlier this year hit dozens of properties.

Reading Borough councillors recently received a report on the floods in January, which resulted in more than 50 properties being impacted.

A neighbour spoke at the council meeting calling for more 'impactful' measures to manage the flood risk and provide better communication to neighbours.

Adam Wigley wanted to illustrate the 'chaos and stress' felt by neighbours during the flood to councillors.

Mr Wigley said: "Imagine the stress of watching a drainage ditch behind our houses fill, it becomes clogged and overflows not towards to the river, which is close by, but towards houses.

"You realise 'actually those are our houses' and then you think about all of this happening at night.

Logs, wood and debris which is blocking the water flow at the Gosbrook which passes through Caversham.Logs, wood and debris which is blocking the water flow at the Gosbrook which passes through Caversham.

"The water came up first through the ground, and then it rushed into our gardens as the ditch overfilled.

"It poured down the lane, by our houses to reach the front of our houses.

"Pets were evacuated, water bailed and pumped out from under floors, kitchens flooded."

READ MORE: Concern that wood and debris blocking streams could lead to more flooding in Reading

Mr Wigley accused the council's response of shortcomings, which involved being unable to access support, with no phone line and social media being responsive, and the council offices being closed.

He said: "No contingency, it seems, had been set up for flooding on a weekend."

Mr Wigley added that sandbags were only provided 'by chance' by a passing council officer.

A report to the council's policy committee demonstrated that 55 properties were affected by the floods in January, with 34 properties being flooded externally, and 21 properties flooded internally.

Of the properties that were flooded internally, 17 were homes, one was a static caravan, and three were commercial properties. 10 of the homes were internally flooded by waters from the Christchurch Ditch in Caversham.

Elsewhere, four properties each were flooded from the Holy Brook and the River Thames.

The policy committee was asked to note the reports conducted into the flood event, and agree on the 'lessons learned', which included:

  • Responding in a timely manner
  • Activate specific action plans for vulnerable areas
  • Make affected residents aware of flood response action plans
  • Conduct and record cyclical inspections and maintenance regimes on the
  • watercourse ditches

Council officer Sam Shean said: "This is not just 'report and bury it', after the recommendations are accepted there are a range of actions that the council will take on board."

READ MORE: Dramatic images show flooding at The Oracle Riverside 

Additionally, Mr Wigley called for the council to engage meaningfully with the community to ensure it is better prepared in the future.

Acknowledging his concerns, Karen Rowland, lead councillor for environment services said: "The communication was a real issue, and I hear that, and there's nothing worse than when there's a void."

Ultimately, the committee agreed that the lessons learned be enacted, and noted the report and the concerns raised by Mr Wigley at the meeting on Monday, July 8.