Sir,
Through your Letters page, I would like to set the record straight regarding the problems of flooding at Gumfreston Bottom, which was highlighted in last week's issue.
The B4318 that runs in a westerly direction after leaving the junction with Heywood Lane, crosses the marsh and therefore its construction was designed to flood after heavy rainfall and high tides causing flood water to rise. The causeway was therefore a causeway.
At the western end of the causeway, it crosses the Knightston Brook, which drains an area of approximately eight square miles.
Part of Knightston Brook used to be diverted into a leat that powered the Causeway Mill, which is now buried under the road at the base of the hill. The remains of some of the walls of the Miller's House can still be seen on the left-hand side behind the hedge.
The hill, after crossing the causeway, then over Knightston Brook, is Causeway Mill Hill, now shortened to Causeway Hill, which leads to Gumfreston village.
Gumfreston Hill is from the stream that crosses from Gumfreston Farm to Gumfreston Church under the B4318 westwards up to the top of the level known as the open fields.
Raising the causeway may not be a good idea, as it could increase flooding elsewhere,
Tourism development and infill of the Ritec Valley floor will cause flood water to rise as has been seen in the past.
All too often, greedy entrepreneurs obtain planning permission for developing land with a history of flooding and poor house purchasers get flooded out and lose value on their houses, which must be stopped.
Trevor Hallett,
1 Cogmill Cottage,
22 The Green,
Tenby.