A FLOODED road is driving a village to distraction.

Not only has it prompted a petition signed by almost every resident, but the chairman of the parish council has taken photographs to prove there is a solution.

Now Neasham is ready to do battle with Darlington Borough Council, which maintains the flooding at Springs Bridge is because water cannot run into an over-full Cree Beck.

Coun John Weighell, chairman of the parish council, told Monday's meeting: "I now have pictorial evidence which totally disproves the council view. It was taken when the beck was at a very low level and the road was flooded."

The parish council believes surface water cannot drain away because a gully was blocked or damaged during construction work at the bridge.

The parish council also says there could be compensation claims for cars with catalytic converters and exhaust systems which are easily damaged.

"We are proposing that Darlington Borough Council takes measures to remedy the situation," said the chairman.

l Parish council round-up: page 13