Flapper Action Pledged

A LEIGH councillor has received assurances concerning flapper valves flooding Leigh Old Town, following five years of campaigning.

Leigh Lib Dem Councillor Peter Wexham has been working to address the malfunctional infrastructure, which serve the crucial function of allowing runoff water to flow out into the sea, while preventing seawater from inundating roads and drains when the tide rises.

Coun Wexham said: “I have been reporting the flapper valve problem for about five years to Southend Council.

“The problem with flapper valves is they should open to let the runoff water out into the sea and when the tide comes in the water pressure shuts the valve stopping the sea getting in and flooding the roads and drains.

“When they are seized up or broken, as these are in old Leigh, water just runs out and the tide runs in.”

According to Coun Wexham, one valve is even blocked up with grass that has been cut from Belton Hills and washed down the drains.

In a recent meeting with Anglian Water, Coun Wexham received confirmation that the valves would be fixed this year.

He continued: “I raised this problem with Anglian Water as all the outfalls along the foreshore have flapper valves, but much larger than the ones in Leigh.

“It appears all the Anglian Water valves are not working and they have promised to repair them with a more modern valve.

“The small ones from Leigh to Shoebury belong to Southend Council.”

At the meeting, assurances were provided that these valves would be addressed in the council’s budget for the year.

He continued: “Southend Council are just waiting on licences from the Marine Management Organisation and Natural England, and then work will begin.”

Picture: The flappers, pictured by Peter Wexham.

Report by Sophie Sleigh-Johnson.

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