8:51am Thursday 17th January 2008
By Ben Perrin
FEARS are growing in Castle Eaton that recent downpours could bring about a repeat of last July's floods.
The village has become an island after the River Thames burst its banks.
Melody Lyall, the landlady of The Red Lion pub, said that although her pub hadn't flooded water levels were dangerously close to breaching her property.
The river has settled 20ft up from the riverbed in her back garden.
"We've been hit again by the bad weather," she said.
"We haven't yet had as much water as the July floods but if it rains a little more then it could be just as bad.
"It's not going to get to us as we are on a hill but other houses might not be so lucky."
The village is virtually cut off from the rest of Swindon and many locals fear the situation will only get worst before it gets better.
Jim Peters could not believe the amount of water in the area.
The 57-year-old said: "It has been quite scary to be honest.
"I wanted to drive through Castle Eaton but couldn't and had to turn my van round and head back towards the A419.
"It has been quite drastic in places and I'll be glad when it stops raining."
Resident Mark Johnson, who owns the Queens Park and Old Town Cafes, has not been able to return home because of the severe weather.
"I rent a small house but it looks as if I won't be able to get back there for another couple of days," said the 41-year-old.
"The roads are really bad so I didn't want to chance getting back there. I've been staying with a friends in the meantime.
"I lost my Porsche to the floods in July so I'm hoping it won't be as bad this time."
Roads around Castle Eaton and Latton are currently impassable, while fields have been turned into small lakes.
In July North Wiltshire District Council helped with efforts to deal with 30 families that were evacuated from a caravan park at Castle Eaton.
Flooding left them and their caravans stranded.
Then alternative accommodation was found in local hotels.
l The Met Office is predicting further rain tomorrow and over the weekend.
Swindon has already had more than the monthly rainfall average for January with 94mm having fallen so far this month.
l Water levels across parts of Wiltshire are continuing to rise, with a number of roads still closed.
The Environment Agency said the next 24 hours would be crucial to how badly the county is affected by the heavy rain.
And Wiltshire Police have urged drivers not to ignore signs and diversions in place around the county.
© Copyright 2001-2010 Newsquest Media Group
http://www.thisiswiltshire.co.uk