A COUNCILLOR has sought assurances that a caravan park badly hit by flooding last Christmas will not be affected this winter.

Hundreds of people were evacuated from storm-hit Gladelands in Ferndown hours before Christmas Day.

Although the floods – which saw around half of the 101 static homes submerged – were initially blamed on 24 hours of driving rain, residents were later told that a culvert blockage caused by a fallen tree and debris in the River Moors was responsible.

Ward councillor Steve Lugg, vice chairman of East Dorset District Council, is now calling for the Environment Agency, Highways Agency and Wessex Water to come ‘to the table’ with the district and county councils.

“I was, and remain, pleased with the district council’s efforts,” he said.

“A group of residents have approached me, as they are not confident that there will not be a reoccurrence.”

He said there is still work to be done on a number of issues, including communicating with residents about what has been achieved since last year.

“There is no confidence over the culvert that caused the problem last year,” he said.

“The Highways Agency used to clear it annually, but do not any more.

“I would expect a one-way valve to be fitted where there is so much river pressure on the other side of the culvert. This is simply another flooding waiting to happen. Again, the Highways Agency have not communicated properly, nor have been seen to take proactive preventative action, given that the culvert hasn’t even had annual anti-silting.

“It is understandable that Gladelands residents are afraid. Elderly residents last year lost everything.”

He added that the Environment Agency is failing to take proactive enforcement action against landowners whose trees are falling into the river.

“Dredging and clearance work has simply stopped taking place.

“Nor are landowners, including councils, being held to account,” he said.