Not many people are pleased to see workmen digging up their back garden, but Kennington pensioners Terry and Dilys Cale are delighted.

The couple, who live in Upper Road, have suffered three years of stress and uncertainty since the discovery of a broken culvert under an extension to their house in December 2005.

Thames Water pledged to fix the problem, but planning work and negotiations over costs have continually pushed back the start date. However, work finally began on Monday.

Mrs Cale, 74, whose husband is disabled, said their garden and neighbouring properties had flooded four times since July 2007.

The latest incident followed last week’s big thaw and heavy rain.

She said at the time: “I can’t get out of my house. It’s a torrent in my back garden, like a raging river.”

But the grandmother-of-five said anger had turned to relief this week.

She said: “We’re so grateful work has started after all this time – it’s tremendous.

“Last week was a nightmare. The flooding was terrible, far worse than ever before. The water was a foot high, crashing against the house.

“The garden was trashed and it all went through the garage. Everything is still covered in mud and sand, including the grandchildren’s toys and the lawnmower.

“The last few years have been such a worry for us.”

Neighbour Iris Lancaster, 82, of Kennington Road, said the constant threat of flooding had made her feel like a prisoner in her own home.

She, too, was badly hit by last week’s flooding.

She said: “I’m thankful the project is finally happening. It’s a big undertaking, but we’re hoping it will be the final solution to the problem.”

Originally, Thames Water looked at digging under the Cales’s garage to repair the broken culvert, but it could not guarantee the building would not collapse.

Engineers decided the only solution was to bypass the damaged section of drain completely, which was more complicated and expensive.

The £160,000 diversion involves laying 40 metres of pipe and is expected to be finished by the end of next month.

Thames Water spokesman Becky Johnson said: “Planning the work has taken longer than we would have liked, but we’re pleased we have now identified the best possible solution and work is under way.

“On completion of the diversion, we will fully reinstate Mr and Mrs Cale’s garden.”

tshepherd@oxfordmail.co.uk