1930s maps helped sort town centre floods

Maps that were drawn up nearly 90 years ago were referenced by engineers who eventually sorted the huge floods that hit the town centre last week.

Modern methods to identify the source of the water leak failed, so the the dust was blown off the old maps to find where the issues may lie.

It worked, with Severn Trent managing to isolate the source to stop the floods which caused up to five feet of water in the Town Hall basement whilst flooding businesses and houses nearby.

“It was a three-way problem,” explained Town Clerk, Robert Robinson. “The torrential rain, a blocked sewer and a burst pipe. Thankfully the 1930s maps helped to sort the problem.”

The local community was praised for keeping the emergency services fed and watered during the 36-hour operation to stay on top of the rising flood waters.

No long term damage is expected with the Town Hall boilers isolated, however, they will be given a full once-over.