Good news at last for Ardleigh flood-hit couple (From Essex County Standard)

Good news at last for Ardleigh flood-hit couple

5:00pm Monday 10th September 2012 in News By Ryan Jennings

A COUPLE whose home was inundated by flash flooding say they hope to be home in time for Christmas.

Kevin and Rachel Pugh spent two weeks living in hotels before finding rented accommodation at Brightlingsea marina after their home, Ancient Cottage, on Colchester Road, Ardleigh, was flooded on May 3.

Mr Pugh awoke at 5am to find the house under 5ft of water after a record inch of rain fell overnight.

Mr Pugh, a pilot with Ryanair, said: “It has been a rollercoaster of emotions.

“Looking back on that day, everything was turned upside-down. I was faced with the situation where I was flooded out of my home.

“We didn’t know what to do or who to call.”

The entire ground floor of their 500-year-old home – including the kitchen, hall, bathroom and lounge – was ruined.

Nearly 6ft of wall plaster was removed by the water, while furniture, flooring and kitchen appliances were destroyed.

Mr Pugh said: “When I think back to that day, it was a nightmare.

“I went to the kitchen and could see there was about a foot of water and that was just the start of our problems.”

Heaters and de-humidifiers have been running 24 hours a day since the house was drained and this alone has cost the Pughs £700 in electricity bills.

As a result a certificate has finally been issued, confirming the house is sufficiently dried out for restoration work to begin.

Mr Pugh is angry because a culvert running under Colchester Road, was blocked, causing the flooding. He added: “We need to find out who is responsible for this.

“It will have turned our lives and our neighbours’ lives upside-down for most of this year.”