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Available for over a year

Collete Jacobs has lived in a property that backs onto the Oxford Canal for 15 years.   Around three years ago heavy rain caused the land to slide; damaging a sewer pipe underneath a nearby canal bridge. Temporary traffic lights remain in place three years on the road above the bridge, which is close to the property. The situation has led to Collete losing part of her garden and has caused cracks to appear within her paving. Financially she's found it very difficult to insure her property as she and her partner John Brown explained ��ѿ��ý CWR's Tom Cooke. The situation continues to be monitored by Warwickshire County Council and The Canal and River Trust. They've sent the following statements: RIVER AND CANAL TRUST “It is incorrect to suggest that the Trust’s slope ‘slipped’ causing damage to our neighbour’s land – in fact, it is the other way around. An independent expert has confirmed this. Our neighbours’ land, at the top of the slope, slipped down towards the canal. This was as a consequence of ground saturation following intense rainfall during Storm Alex. The slip originated close to the top of the land, not because of an issue at the bottom of the slope by the water. “The Trust, having informed the landowners of our position some months ago, was not aware that they or their legal representatives thought there was a basis for expecting the Trust to pay for works to their property when the Trust is clearly not at fault. “Whilst it appears that only limited damage has occurred to our canal infrastructure and there is nothing to suggest on-going instability to the slope, we have been advised to observe it for any signs of further movement. We always advocate neighbouring landowners go through our protocols when undertaking building works within the vicinity of a cutting, slope, or waterway.” WARWICKSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL Warwickshire County Council (WCC) were made aware of this embankment slippage when the Severn Trent Water (STW) Foul sewer that crosses the canal was compromised and had to be repaired and re-routed. The embankment that has slipped is under the responsibility of the Canal & Rivers Trust (CRT) and the adjacent Landowner. This embankment slippage on private land has caused a substantial cavity underneath the Public Highway and WCC continue to monitor for further movement of the Highway whilst keeping traffic away from the affected area to limit further deterioration and keep the passing public safe. WCC are looking to upgrade the temporary traffic lights at the location to improve traffic flows. WCC has also commissioned works to carry out detailed Ground Investigations to establish whether it is possible to shore up the Public Highway without any adverse effect on the bridge, canal, STW Foul Sewer or the adjacent property. If this is feasible it will allow WCC to effect repairs solely within the Highway in order to fully reopen the road. Severn Trent declined to comment.