Far Forest resident left with costly driveway repairs

Retired sales manager Richard Downey said a drain pipe on the road outside his house was damaged back in 2008 when a tractor pulled up on a grass verge fracturing the pipe. 

Over the past 15 years, the damaged pipe has caused water to run off the road and onto his driveway causing it to flood during spells of heavy rain which has got worse over the years. 

The drain pipe was damaged in 2008 (Image: Richard Downey) Mr Downey said he has contacted Worcestershire County Council a number of times over the years and they finally agreed to fix the pipe in December 2023. 

The property has not flooded since the repair was completed, but the years of flood damage has left his driveway completely ruined and in need of urgent repairs.  

Despite asking for two quotes to repair the driveway, Mr Downey claims the county council have now refused to cover the costs and closed his case. 

His case has now been closed (Image: Richard Downey) The 67-year-old said: "It is really frustrating that the county council have refused to pay for the damage caused by a drain pipe on their road. 

"We have a gravel driveway so any time it would flood, all the gravel would come up and our drive would be completely swept away. My wife and I have waited 15 years for the pipe to be repaired and it just started to get a bit out of hand. 

"It was a relief when the pipe was fixed in December last year, but I'm now really disappointed that the county council has asked for quotes to repair my drive and are now saying they won't pay for it. 

"The fact they asked implies that they have accepted responsibility for it so it's frustrating that they now have no intention of putting it right.

"It was not water from my property flooding their road, it was water from a pipe on their road flooding my property." 

The water has ruined his driveway (Image: Richard Downey)Mr Downey, who lives in the property with his wife, said the drive needs to be completely re-laid with the repairs set to help future proof the property from further damage. 

The resident has even said he is willing to pay for the costs initially as long as the county council agrees to reimburse him. 

He added: "When I've shown people the videos and photos of the driveway over the years, people just cannot believe that much water could be coming down our drive. It's like a raging torrent and it surrounds our home. You'd think it was a river. 

"We just want the driveway repaired as it is causing a serious health and safety problem. I keep thinking about the postman that has to walk down the driveway everyday, we're worried he'll slip and fall. 

"In our last correspondence, the county council said we need more evidence to reopen the case but I don't know what else we can show them. We just want reassurance that they will help put the driveway right after so many years of damage." 

In response to Mr Downey's claims, a spokesperson for Worcestershire County Council said: "We can confirm we have been liaising with Mr Downey regarding the repair costs.

"This is an ongoing and live insurance claim and as a result we’re unable to comment further."