A HEREFORDSHIRE couple have been forced to use a portable toilet due to their home having no drainage. 

Roger Sell and his fiancée, Janet Hewlett are fed up with the drains outside their Marden cottage being blocked, resulting in them having their neighbours wash their clothes. 

The Grade Two listed black and white thatched cottage is on the junction of the Marden, Moreton-on-Lugg and Sutton St Nicholas road, which constantly gets flooded. 

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"We have to use a portaloo, pour washing water on the garden and ask neighbours to wash our clothes," said Mr Sell, who is hoping their garden dries out in time for their wedding celebrations this summer. 

"We've had no drainage since Christmas. The council have been unable to clear the drains and have basically given up,  saying there is nothing more they can do."

Hereford Times: Roger Sell and Janet Hewlett outside their cottage in MardenRoger Sell and Janet Hewlett outside their cottage in Marden (Image: Rob Davies)

Beth Macbain added that the Marden to Moreton-on-Lugg road has been flooded for three weeks, and Haywood Lane for five weeks.

"People are getting sick of it," she said.

"My mum suffered a serious heart condition and is in and out of hospital and needs a panic alarm. She lives in Belmont, Hereford, but if something happens and her alarm goes off, I might not be able to get to her."

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Catriona Deredas added that she has had to buy a pick-up car so she can drive safely through the floods.

"A lot of people aren't quite so lucky," she said.

"There a lot of elderly and vulnerable people in the village and for them it's a serious issue.

Chris Morgan believes the Lugg is in desperate need of maintenance.

"It has had a tremendous impact on Marden Church," he said.

"Floods are now becoming chronic rather than periodic. I have lived in Marden since 1962 and have watched the impact of climate change. 

Hereford Times: Caroline Max and Roger Sell next to a blocked drain in MardenCaroline Max and Roger Sell next to a blocked drain in Marden (Image: Rob Davies)

"More localised road flooding is of concern because it is wholly preventable and is the responsibility of Herefordshire Council.

"The main causes are environmental changes, lack of repairs to collapsed drains and culverts, changes in farming practices, land ditches being trashed by heavy vehicles, and no investment in repairs or future proofing.

Hereford Times: Roger Sell says he hasn't had any drainage since ChristmasRoger Sell says he hasn't had any drainage since Christmas (Image: Rob Davies)

"Flooding is creating more potholes and disguising existing ones. The road edges are also being eroded. 

"Before too long, this will have a negative impact on local house prices. For rural dwellers, solving all this is more important than a bypass."

A Hereford spokesperson said: "We’ve had one of the wettest winters in decades with the ground across the county becoming heavily saturated as a result of the amount of rainfall since last autumn.

"This significant wet weather has led to land and watercourses struggling to absorb rainfall at times, which has then led to road and land flooding issues. Our teams have been working with affected communities to do what we can.

"We have carried out work on the highway drainage system in the Marden area, however it’s identified that further work is needed to make longer-term improvements. This work is currently being planned."

The issue is due to be discussed at a Marden Parish Council meeting next Tuesday (April 16).