Video shows Northampton residents fighting off flood water from their homes...and now they want a full investigation into why it happened

Northampton residents are calling for a full investigation into why and how their homes were flooded on Thursday night (May 13).

Homeowners in Briar Hill Walk were frantically trying to stop heavy rainfall from flooding their properties last night at about 8pm. But they say heavy rainfall alone should not have caused the level of flooding they experienced.

Northampton Fire and Rescue Service arrived at the scene at 9pm and said firefighters removed 'excess water' from two properties.

Briar Hill Walk resident Jon Reeve said: "I was shocked last night. I was shocked about the volume of water cascading down the street."

People living in the area say they have raised their concerns about the cause of the flooding but not had any answers.

Heavy rainfall alone should not have caused such bad flooding, they said, and they are demanding an investigation is carried out.

"We have been in touch with the council about this but nobody wants to know.

"One of the residents is very ill and there he was on his hands and knees last night clearing the water out of his property.

"What's going on? It's not good. It's not on.

"We think the flooding might have affected the school playing field too at Delapre Middle School."

Briar Hill Walk resident Antonella Mitchell described how she was affected last night.

The English lecturer said: "I had my neighbour ringing me up last night at about 8pm; I had just put my kids to bed. I went down to her house and she had water gushing through her garden.

"There were about 10 of us altogether trying to help this lady. And she told us to go and help the man who is very ill," she said.

Local resident Paul McKeown added: "It was heavy rain but we're on a hill, we shouldn't get flooding."

Emma Roberts, Labour ward councillor for Delapre and Rushmere, called for a full investigation into what happened on Thursday night to find the cause and action any solutions needed.

"What I saw last night was residents frightened with water flowing at speed through their back gardens, through their back doors and down the street.

"I urge the local authority to listen to residents."

A spokesperson from West Northamptonshire Council said: “We are investigating and until this has been done it would be inappropriate to comment on what caused this flooding, or if any actions can be taken to reduce the risk of homes from future flooding events."