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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Robin Jenkins & Graeme Murray

Man tormented by 'UK's biggest puddle' that leaves him 'drenched' every time it rains

A man fears the UK's biggest puddle may have formed outside his home.

James Black is not sure why he has had the misfortune to live next to the huge stretch of water.

It measures 100m long and has appeared several times outside his home where he has lived for two years.

He told GloucestershireLive : “Living opposite means me and my family are frequently drenched on leaving home. I have a one-year-old and it’s frankly unacceptable.”

The Cheltenham resident said the “monster” puddle forms after moderate or heavy rainfall and takes up 50% of the road, meaning vehicles splash water onto the pavement and beyond when they pass through it.

James Black reckons the 100m long puddle could be the biggest in the UK (James Black)

It has even splashed right up to his front door.

James has contacted Gloucestershire County Council’s highways department about the matter, which has affected other residents in the road.

The stretch affected is close to the main entrance to Cheltenham Town Football Club.

He said: “In 2021 highways refused to believe there was any issue at all. They are now engaging, but they are chronically slow and I have little confidence they will rectify the issue.”

The authority's workers have visited the site to ibvestigate clearing blocked gullies, but the problem remained.

In addition to it being an issue for him and his neighbours, James felt it did not reflect well on the town because away football fans regularly visit the club’s stadium.

James claims the authority has failed to solve the puddle problem outside his home (James Black)

He added: “It takes three days to recede. I’ve never seen a puddle 100m long, ever.”

Sally Godwin, area highway manager at Gloucestershire County Council said: “We thank the resident for bringing this to our attention.

"We will have a gully emptier with CCTV attending the area next week to clear the debris from the road and drains, allowing the water to flow away.

“Fallen leaves can cause drain blockages during the autumn and winter months and as we know we have seen some exceptional levels of rainfall recently.

"Our highways staff are working hard to keep nearly 130,000 gullies and kerb weirs clear.

“You can report highway issues, including blocked drains, to the council at https://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/report-it/ .”

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