NOTHING has been done to stop the river Roding bursting its banks, despite the river being on flood warning twice since the floods of last year.

Speaking at a flood public meeting on Friday, Redbridge Council's officer for engineering and building services, Dave Renvoize, said: "It's fair to say that in effect, other than the relatively minor remedial work, the River Roding is the same as it was 18 months ago."

In October last year, the Roding burst its banks forcing hundreds families out of their homes and last month the river was back on flood warning.

At a meeting at Ilford Town Hall, flood victims questioned representatives from the council and the Environment Agency on what was being done to prevent the disaster from recurring.

And as the council officer admitted nothing had been done, the Environment Agency said more research was needed into what caused the floods.

Representatives of the government body dismissed residents' fears that a build-up of reeds and silt were to blame for the river overflowing.

Environment Agency representative Mike Pomfreet said: "We are confident and happy that the reeds did not contribute to last year's floods. You have to trust in our views and that we are here to manage the water courses."

Mr Pomfreet's colleague Dak Gor said: "To remove silt is a very costly business and it may not solve the situation. It is something we will look at."

But if the flood prevention work proves to be more costly than the clean up and insurance claims, the work will not be carried out, leaving 200 homes in Woodford Green at the mercy of rising water.

The Environment Agency plans to finish the first part of its survey on the Roding early next year.