RECENT rain has renewed fears of flooding in Callow End, where people had to contend with sewage in their homes and gardens during last season's floods.

More than two dozen homes in Beauchamp Lane and Lower Ferry Lane were affected when the contents of overloaded sewers forced off manhole covers or "backed up" into domestic toilets.

But despite two meetings between residents and Severn Trent Water, nothing had apparently been done to remedy the situation, Powick Parish Council heard.

"What has Severn Trent done for these people? We should be fighting their corner," said council member John West.

A non-returnable valve had been fitted at one property to prevent back-up, but other householders were still waiting for some remedial action, said council member Tom Wells.

"Despite everything we have said, we have been let down and I think it's appalling that people are going into another winter without any action being taken to safeguard them," he said.

"I am alarmed to discover that it's unlikely Severn Trent will have the capital to invest in any improvement to the foul sewage plant serving Callow End and parts of St Peter's.

"It's my belief that it is working beyond its capacity and simply can't cope when the water levels rise and storm water gets into the foul sewers.

"It created a real environmental and health problem in Callow End, where all 15 homes in Beauchamp Lane and 10 in Lower Ferry Lane were flooded last winter - and not just with displaced river water.

"Our people want some assurance that all is being done to protect them before the onset of winter."

Mr Wells said he would convene another meeting with Severn Trent Water and invite representatives of the parish council.

Severn Trent spokesman Ian Burtenshaw, who is assistant manager for sewerage operations, said measures were being taken to protect houses most at risk of internal flooding by fitting a non-return valve to the sewerage system at Beauchamp Lane.

Two manhole covers would also be sealed.

"We met the customers last week and we are going to do the work in the next few days," he said.

"We can't solve everything in the short term. We are looking at the performance of the sewage treatment works and the capacity of the sewerage system. Major investment is needed.

"There are also highway drainage and land drainage problems in this area, which is in the flood plain. We are working with the county council and the parish council on this."