Members of the South Marston flood project group, met with council officials, the Environment Agency, land and property owners and a land property management company to discus once again the issue of the two bridges spanning South Marston Brook downstream of Rowborough Lane.

The meeting took place yesterday ( 28/11/08) at the location of the bridges, and whilst there appears to be some form of agreement with regard to one bridge, it is claimed that the other is still used, although I have to say, I have not known that to be the case in the 10 years I have been in the village.

Although it has previously been stated by the Environment Agency that the bridges were in a poor state of repair, it is now claimed the one directly below the Carpenters Arms can sustain farm traffic.

We now await the result of a study being carried out on behalf of the Land Agents as to the benefits of removing both bridges, however it is evident that such a study would hardly be considered independent, and one would suspect it will consider the benefits to the landowner rather than the local residents. We can only hope there will be some action soon.

With winter rains about to arrive one will just have to pray that vulnerable properties do not flood again.