Glastonbury councillors have voiced growing frustration over ongoing flooding issues, with one resident forced to spend more than £60,000 to unblock drains in a desperate bid to protect their property.

Councillor Margaret Oakden raised the issue during October's town council meeting, highlighting the severe and repeated flooding along Cinnamon Lane. Cllr Oakden, who has personally suffered from the floodwaters, revealed the financial toll this has taken on her and her neighbours.

"Flooding is consistently taking place in Cinnamon Lane where I live," Cllr Oakden said. "My home is now being flooded for the fifth time this year. I have currently spent £13,000 on drains to take the water away. My poor next-door neighbour spent £60,000 on drainage, much of which should have been cleared by Somerset Council."

Cllr Oakden directed strong criticism at Somerset Council, accusing it of neglecting the drainage problems that have plagued local properties for years. Despite residents doing everything they could to secure their homes, Cllr Oakden explained, they felt forced to consider legal action due to a lack of council support.

"When we phoned the Highways Authority after they didn't turn up, we were bluntly told, 'Sorry about that, but we haven't got any money,'" Cllr Oakden recounted.

The problem isn't confined to residential areas, with local farms and fields also experiencing severe flooding. Cllr Oakden painted a grim picture of the worsening conditions: "It's now flooded into the farms, it's flooded into the fields. It's a serious problem, and it's no longer just our problem. The drainage is not cleared, and the broken drains have not been repaired."

According to Cllr Oakden, the issue stems from an outdated drainage system, which, she claims, has seen little to no maintenance since the 1960s. She explained that a drainage system running through local fields has now collapsed, compounding the problem. Though a local farmer has tried to repair what he could, Cllr Oakden noted that water simply shifts further down the area, continuing to flood nearby properties.

Describing last year's situation, Cllr Oakden said, "My garden was under two feet of water, and in my field, I had a swan on it."

The emotional toll of the relentless flooding has left residents feeling helpless and frustrated. Cllr Oakden, speaking on behalf of her neighbours, shared the overwhelming anxiety they feel. "When you're faced with unrelenting water just pouring at you, you can do nothing about it. It's incredibly frightening and incredibly frustrating, and this has been going on for far too long," she told the council.

Concluding her remarks, Cllr Oakden reiterated the residents' intention to pursue legal action if Somerset Council does not intervene to address the situation. "These poor people have spent £60,000 repairing drains that are not their real responsibility, but they must keep their property safe."

The council meeting ended with a strong call for Somerset Council to step up and take meaningful action before the winter weather exacerbates the issues further.