Housebuilder set to carry out vital work on culvert on a new Harborough estate to prevent flooding

A major housebuilder is set to carry out vital work on a culvert on a new Market Harborough estate to prevent flooding.

Avant Homes are to make the structure safe on the vast Farndon Fields development as local residents raised the alarm after one of the wettest winters in living memory.

The imminent move to improve the local environment for hundreds of families is being welcomed by veteran campaigner Peter Pollak.

Peter, 74, of Limner Street, Farndon Fields, said: “This makes total sense.

“I’m pleased that Avant Homes are going to carry out this work for the sake of every one living here.”

He added: “The culvert has been there many many years.

“It’s rained non-stop for months and I’ve never seen so much water in it.

“My worry is that it will overflow and flood if it becomes choked with debris.

“It’s the responsibility of Avant Homes, who are building nearby, to keep the water flowing.”

The Market Harborough representative of conservation society Open Spaces, Peter said the watercourse runs from the Northamptonshire border to the River Welland.

“It meanders along within about 100 feet of Charley Close and the back end of Measham Close,” said Peter, a lifelong rambler.

“We’ve had enough problems to tackle on Farndon Fields with the A105 bridleway fiasco and flooded A58 footpath without any more.

“I had a site meeting with Avant’s technical director and site manager on Tuesday about the culvert issue.

“They were very constructive and seem keen to help.

“So let’s hope that they will carry out these improvements and that we are finally heading in the right direction.”

An Avant Homes spokeswoman said: “We regularly monitor the levels of the watercourse, which is situated close to our development, and ensure it is flowing freely at all times.”

She added: “Despite exceptional levels of rainfall in recent weeks, the watercourse has not reached its capacity.

“Once weather conditions improve and it is safe for us to do so, we will complete the final construction works associated with the culverts under the access roads to further improve the long-term situation along this watercourse.”