IPSWICH residents fed up of floodwater blighting their lives are today demanding action.They are calling for a solution to the problems caused when a sudden burst of heavy rainfall hits the Lovetofts Drive area.

IPSWICH residents fed up of floodwater blighting their lives are today demanding action.

They are calling for a solution to the problems caused when a sudden burst of heavy rainfall hits the Lovetofts Drive area.

As reported in The Evening Star last week, block paving in the driveway of 55-year-old Lovetofts Drive woman Anne Phillips collapsed after the heavy rainfall on September 10.

Parts of the road and pavement in the Lovetofts Drive and Kerry Avenue area were also forced up.

The problem stemmed from the fact that, back in July, Anglian Water installed a grill in a manhole in order to stop solid sewage spilling out on to the road when heavy rain occurred.

But, as the solid waste had blocked the grill, the knock-on effect was that the road was forced up.

Graham Simpson, 51, of Daimler Road, has now said there are thoughts of calling a residents' meeting.

He videoed the latest flooding and was sending the DVDs to Anglian Water, Ipswich Borough Council and Sir Michael Lord MP.

He also pointed out that before the grill was installed, solid waste such as toilet paper and sanitary towels had spilled out.

Sharon Chambers, 35, also of Daimler Road, whose husband has been working with Graham in an attempt to get something done, added: “We want something done. If our climate is changing and we are getting more heavy rainfall, how long is it going to be before rain and sewage comes into the houses? If something doesn't get done, we want to call a residents' meeting.”

Dan Baker, spokesman for Anglian Water, said: “The scheme brought in to try to tackle the flooding has unfortunately caused damage to the roads. It's our responsibility to fix it.

“It was a bit of an experiment and we did explain to residents that there was a risk.

“We are to start repairing the roads immediately, but the borough council has asked if their highways department can check the extent of the damage first.

“We have also built a model of the sewage system and we are going to be using that to try to come up with some more permanent schemes to try to stop the problems once and for all.”

An Ipswich Borough Council spokesman added: “We are aware of the situation and are working with Anglian Water to resolve the problem and will carry out the work to repair the highway.”

Have you experienced problems with flooding in the Lovetofts Drive area of Ipswich? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or send us an e-mail to eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk