Spring found in flooded subway

A disused underpass that had been described as posing a "significant risk of disease" due to stagnant water has now been drained, a council confirmed.

Following the removal of the water, Buckinghamshire Council teams in Chesham discovered a continuous flow from a spring emerging through a weep hole in the structure.

The underpass, beneath St Mary's Way, had been flooded for several weeks, prompting health concerns.

Chesham Town Council warned that the standing water could become contaminated and serve as a breeding ground for mosquitoes, particularly during the warmer summer months.

This previously hidden source of water is now the focus of a technical investigation.

A Buckinghamshire Council spokesperson said: "The next step is the detailed hydrological and technical investigations to help inform the potential future options."

In the meantime, contractors have cleaned the interior of the subway and are in the process of removing accumulated litter and debris.

The street lighting team has also switched off and isolated the electrical supply as a safety precaution.

Despite the recent clean-up, the underpass remains closed to the public.

Chesham & Amersham's MP Sarah Green said: "I am pleased to see action finally being taken on this longstanding problem. I hope that a solution will be found quickly so that the underpass can be brought back into use for local residents, who have waited too long already."

Barriers will stay in place while further investigations are carried out and until a long-term decision is made regarding the structure's future.

The situation has drawn attention to the challenges posed by ageing infrastructure and the impact of underground water sources on public spaces.

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