The forgotten flood victims
HUNDREDS of Birmingham families still living with the filthy aftermath of the worst floods to hit the city for years today complained: "We've been forgotten".
Victims of the deluge today demanded urgent action amid claims their plight is being ignored by the council, fire brigade, insurers and the Environment Agency.
Streets of houses in Witton were flooded when the River Tame burst its banks on June 15.
A month on families are still struggling with the effects.
Many are still living in temporary accommodation because their homes are too dangerous to move back in to.
The poorest families, who could not afford to insure their homes due to the high premiums, have been hardest hit.
Most are unable to pay the Fire Brigade £300 to pump their houses free of water.
Many are risking their health by continuing to live with stagnant, insect and rat-infested water in their basements.
Residents' spokesman Sam Allen said: "What has happened to the residents in Witton is disgusting, everyone has forgotten us.
"We have disabled people who can't go home, families spread across the city and residents putting up with smelly water in their basements."
Families fear that the publicity focused on flood-hit parts of Britain like Doncaster and Hull has detracted from their plight.
But Mr Allen said: "We have been just as badly hit and no one has noticed or seems to care.
"Witton is not an affluent area so how the Fire Brigade expect families to fork out £300 because it is not an emergency is beyond belief.
"Try telling a family with children whose basement is full of water that it's not an emergency."
Several roads are affected including Deykin Avenue, Tame Road, Brookvale Road, Brantley Road, Westwood Road and Dulverton Road.
The residents claim the response to the flooding was a shambles from start to finish, and say:
* The Environment Agency failed to raise the flood warning on June 15 despite having data that revealed levels were rising rapidly.
* Articulated lorries continued to drive up the narrow streets creating waves that caused chaos in already flooded homes.
* Birmingham City Council has not co-ordinated a response.
