Residents of Cocoa Walk, Manchester vexed as community beset by flooding

By Halshane Burke   

 

Several residents of Cocoa Walk, in southern Manchester are expressing frustration with the lack of attention given to a drain in the community by their elected representative.

 

They say they have tried unsuccessfully to have the matter addressed.

 

Everton Preddie says flood waters from last week's heavy rains have started to undermine the foundation of his house.

 

"There's a retaining wall that is on the verge of collapse because the water start taking out the foot of it. The septic tank that is there, water start undermining it. And I said, one collapse already. And water is coming into the house. My dining room and kitchen flood out. Good thing the living room is about six, seven inches above the dining room and the kitchen. Based on that, the water did not get into the living room," Mr. Preddie lamented, noting that this happens everytime it rains. 

 

He said he has both written and spoken to the councillor as well as Member of Parliament Robert Chin repeatedly, to no avail.

 

With more rain in the forecast, the residents are asking that the problem be urgently addressed.