Council leader meets with flooding partner agencies

The meeting follows severe flash flooding in Market Harborough town centre in September where some homes and businesses were left underwater as a consequence of heavy rainfall.

A range of issues and concerns were discussed with Anglian Water, Leicestershire County Council as the Lead Local Flood Authority and representatives from the Leicestershire Resilience Forum.

Leader of the council, Cllr Phil Knowles, requested that a formal investigation be carried out to look at the flooding that occurred in Market Harborough and to find out what progress is being made on alleged sewerage issues in Thurnby.

Another outcome of the meeting was that Anglian Water, subject to checks with Ofwat, is proposing to invest around £26 million in Market Harborough over the next five years, including schemes to reduce phosphorous in the treated water released from its water recycling centres across the district.

The water company will also improve its water recycling centre in Market Harborough to accommodate known growth and install new state-of-the-art pumping stations to reduce storm overflows.

Leader of Harborough District Council, Cllr Phil Knowles, said: “Partners were very receptive to discussion. I am grateful to them for meeting me and I made it clear that the council wishes to work together more often where appropriate. I welcome the investment that Anglian Water is intending to make in better infrastructure to prevent flooding in Market Harborough and improve water quality across the Harborough district.”