Chalfont St. Peter faces sewage floods, but local businesses remain determined to overcome the challenges and thrive.
Chalfont St. Peter: This little village has been hit hard by sewage floods. Thames Water is stepping up, promising £2.5 million to help protect the area from future issues.
It’s been a tough year, with two major floods causing chaos in February and October. The main road through the village had to close, which really hurt local businesses.
Not only did the floods disrupt trade, but they also harmed the nearby River Misbourne, a rare chalk stream. Residents have been pushing Thames Water for action since the first flood.
This month, Thames Water sent out a letter detailing their plans. They’re looking at ways to stop groundwater and surface water from getting into the sewer. They’re also planning to install a micro-filtration system to help protect the river.
But here’s the kicker: the letter didn’t mention any quick fixes. It could take years to fully sort out the sewer flooding issues.
Adele Kelly, a local shop owner, shared her frustrations. The road closures have made it tough for customers to reach her store. “People can’t get in, and they see that as a deterrent,” she said.
Adele ran her clothing shop through the pandemic, but these sewage issues have been even tougher. “I had just transferred to home when the pandemic hit… but I haven’t done that here,” she explained.
She pointed out that the sewage system is old and that many other places in the country need help too. “We’ve been vocal and done some good advertising, so we’re at the top of the list,” she said.
Even with the community rallying together, some damage might be permanent. “People form habits,” Adele noted. If customers stop coming due to road closures, they might not return even when things get back to normal.