Hamish, Jill and Alan have been taking up your concerns about flooding issues. The historic canals in Carshalton Park, Carshalton Place and The Grove Park in Carshalton Village have filled up for the first time in many years. These are tributaries of the River Wandle which rises in Carshalton Park and some other areas. In recent years the water has been underground, but the recent heavy rainfall has led to the waterways filling up again, and they have been flowing in Carshalton Park and Grove Park, and in the canals which link these two parks. Those living close to the canals have said they are worried about overflows and possible flooding of properties, if the wet weather continues.

Carshalton Place canal’s waterfall

In recent weeks, the Council has been working with its partners Thames Water, The Environment  Agency and Transport for London (who are responsible for the A232 Carshalton High Street) to put measures in place to prevent flooding occurring and to reduce the level of water in the canals. As part of this work, a blockage in the sewer under the A232 has been removed and this has also been dredged of silt. Obstacles such as litter and leaves have been removed from the canals, and from drains and sluices in Westcroft Road, Carshalton Place and the “Hog Pit” (the very deep excavation) in Carshalton Park. A divert has also been cut into the Westcroft Canal so that it can drain into a ditch in the Grove Park, with the waters flowing into the canal on the Westcroft Centre side of the Grove Park. As a result water is now flowing freely and water levels have started to reduce.

If you have any concerns please see Sutton Council’s Winter Information Centre website https://www.sutton.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=19003  or contact the Environment Agency Floodline on 0845 988 1188 or see their website www.environment-agency.ov.uk for local water level information.

More in a future FOCUS and watch out for updates on our web site: http://carshaltoncentral.mycouncillor.org.uk