WORKS will be carried out “as soon as possible” to prevent a Taunton underpass from flooding.

Residents recently reported the issue to councillors when they realised they could not access the underpass on Winkworth Way, leading to Priorswood and Firepool.

Chris Leoni, who lives near the underpass, said it is “an accident waiting to happen” and that the footway has been flooded for four weeks.

He said: “A lot of people use it to cut through and go to the major supermarkets, especially people without cars.

“It seems very dangerous, I am concerned for the kids, if they fall there could be glass or other sharp things. If it was just for me, I would deal with it.

“I have been living here for five years and it’s like this regularly.”

Somerset County Gazette:
A photo from a resident showing the flooded footpath

Mr Leoni also added that on January 25 some work had been carried out and there was no water around the underpass but the following day, Wednesday, January 26, the passage was flooded again.

A spokesperson for Somerset County Council said works will start “as soon as possible” and also explained that there is an “issue with the underground pipework which will need excavations of footway”.

Councillor Federica Smith-Roberts, leader of Somerset West and Taunton, said she was contacted by several residents and therefore decided to contact the county council to solve the problem.

She said: “I have flagged the issue to councillor Mike Rigby [councillor on SWT and SCC] and then he took it forward for me as I kept getting reports from residents.

“The underpass is such a well-used road by lots of different people. They use it to access the canal and the river. It’s very well-used because it connects different parts of Taunton.

“I have probably received three or four reports recently, some residents sent me photos and that’s what got me on it.”

Cllr Mike Rigby, who is also shadow spokesperson for transport, said he contacted the council and was told there was a problem with the pipes.

He also said that "they are going to try to fix it within the next week".

A spokesperson for Somerset County Council said: “Our team has been on-site investigating the problem and has identified an issue with the underground pipework which will need excavations of footway.

“These works will be carried out as soon as possible, but in the meantime, contractors will continue monitoring the site to check and keep water levels down.

"The team is continuing to pump twice a day to try to ensure the subway doesn’t become flooded. We’re hoping the team can repair the broken piping next week."