Play park shut over fears flood water contaminated

A children's playground in Staffordshire has been closed after heavy rainfall caused a nearby river to burst it banks.

Flood water from the River Tean covered the play area in Jubilee Park, Checkley, leading to concerns from the parish council the water could be contaminated due to the combined system allowing rainwater and sewage to move through the same pipes.

Council chair Stephanie Akerman said it had not been able to get any support with testing the area's flood water, which was "frustrating for the community".

The Environment Agency has been approached for a statement.

It is not the first time the parish has experienced flooding and people in the community have expressed concern heavy rainfall had previously resulted in "several instances of a strong sewage smell in the area".

Councillor Akerman told BBC Radio Stoke they were worried the drainage system was repeatedly becoming "overwhelmed" and "leaking raw sewage into the river and onto public footpaths".

Although the flooded play area resulted from the river bursting its banks, Severn Trent has acknowledged there is a problem in the area.

“There is an unconnected issue with hydraulic overload further upstream, which we have committed additional resource to evaluate the cause and find a long-term solution," it said.

Ms Ackerman said she takes it upon herself to clean out the drains when heavy rain is forecast, but recognised this was not enough.

"We need more support with the infrastructure and the sewage system, we also need some support in creating natural areas that collect water to reduce the flooding."

The parish council has organised its own clean up efforts on Tuesday when it would sanitise the play area, but added its actions were "more than what a parish council would normally be responsible for".

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