�340m scheme to stop Maida Vale flooding

CAMPAIGNERS in Maida Vale celebrated a coup in their fight against flooding this week, after Thames Water agreed to include the area in its �340million investment programme.

Officials from the water company announced the move at a meeting with Westminster councillors and residents.

Julia Neal, one of the residents spearheading the Maida Flood Action campaign, was thrilled with the progress.

She said: "It is great that they have done that, we feel the relationship with them is very positive and we're looking forward to meeting with them on December 16.

"On that date we're going to be handing over our data and providing them with evidence of inconsistent communication with residents and make suggestions about how it could be dealt with in the future."

Homes and businesses were hit hard this summer when heavy rainfall caused thousands of pounds worth of damage to properties across Maida Vale.

One of those was health shop Human Nature in Malvern Road, whose massage studio was out of action for months.

Owner Nari Sadhuram said: "I'm delighted, if they do something about it. Whenever there is a slight downpour I get scared coming to work thinking what is going to happen.

"I know me and a lot of shops are having problems with insurance so hopefully if we can point out to insurance companies something is being done maybe they'll be realistic about their conditions."

But Ms Neal urged more residents to complete its online survey on flooding, in order to provide more information to Thames Water.

Although Thames Water could not confirm that Maida Vale would be included in its investment programme a spokeswoman said: "We are committed to finding a solution and we're investigating how best to do that."

To fill complete a survey go to http://maidafloodaction.blogspot.

com.