Gatley Resident Demands Council Tax Relief After Flooding Incident
A Gatley resident is urging for council tax relief after her home was flooded due to blocked drains during heavy rains
Gatley, Stockport, Flooding, Council Tax, Beverley Johnson
Gatley: A woman is really upset after her house got flooded during the New Year rains. She’s asking for a break on her council tax because the street drains were blocked.
Beverley Johnson came home from a party to find her place filled with “cold, muddy water.” Now, she’s had to move out since it’s just not livable anymore.
She believes the council is to blame for the flooding since the water couldn’t drain properly. Repairs on her street could take ages, which is frustrating for everyone.
Stockport Council is looking into the situation. They’re working on a report to figure out how to prevent this from happening again.
They’re also teaming up with United Utilities to tackle the issue. It’s a big deal, and they know it.
Grace Baynham, a local councillor, mentioned that government cuts have made it tough to manage budgets. They need to focus on where the money is most needed.
She’s calling for better investment in water infrastructure and support for councils dealing with these risks.
Beverley’s home is a mess. The electricity and heating are out, and she can’t even get into her kitchen. Plus, her car got flooded and needs to be replaced.
Her daughter had to use bin bags as makeshift waders to help move things upstairs. It was a real scramble.
“It was not liveable, and I was stuck upstairs. Everything changed overnight,” she said.
It’s been tough, but she knows some neighbors are in worse shape since she has insurance.
She described the water’s force as “really strong,” like a current. It’s no wonder she’s feeling angry about the whole situation.
“Our homes shouldn’t have flooded. We believe it’s the council’s fault for not managing the drainage properly,” she added.