FEARS have been raised over the health risks from persistent flooding in a Cobholm car park.Inches of foul dirty water covered a large area of the car park off Pasteur Road after heavy rain this week.

FEARS have been raised over the health risks from persistent flooding in a Cobholm car park.

Inches of foul dirty water covered a large area of the car park off Pasteur Road after heavy rain this week.

The flooding is caused by overflowing drains in the car park used by Dreams bedding store and Topps Tiles customers.

A group of children were splashing about in the water when The Mercury investigated the problem on Monday.

The 'pond' is presenting a serious health hazard according to Cobholm resident Sylvia Buck.

Pensioner Mrs Buck, 72, who lives in Elsie Road, has written to the council and Anglian Water about the problem.

She said: “The flooding is a serious health hazard, there are bottles and broken glass under the water and I have seen rats swimming in it.

“The water is stagnant and dirty so it is worrying the children play in it and the problem will get worse the more rain there is.

“I have contacted the water company and the borough council but they are ignoring the problem. The flooding goes right up to the house next to the car park and must be causing a damp problem.”

Drainage water regularly covers a section of the car park owned by the borough council and huge puddle covers the area next to Topps Tiles.

Southtown and Cobholm borough councillor Penny Linden is demanding action is taken to tackle the flooding.

Cllr Linden said: “When the car park flooded last week there was rubbish strewn everywhere. The kids loved it, but I am concerned it is a health hazard.

“The rubbish has been removed but I followed

up by sending an e-mail to environmental health and have yet to receive a

reply.

“This has been going on for years, the water does drain eventually, but something needs to be done urgently to prevent the flooding.”