Hell on high water

Reporter: KEN BENNETT
Date online: 19/11/2009

Flash-flooding brings chaos and complaints

Householders and businesses across the borough are bracing themselves after weather forecasters warned of more torrential rain and near gale-force winds tonight.

The news comes after bad weather caused widespread flooding as more than an inch of rain fell in a matter of hours across many parts of the borough yesterday.

Platting Road between Lydgate and Scouthead looked more like a lake. Despite a fire crew attending, the road remained closed for several hours causing frustrating delays and diversions for motorists.

Now Phil Woolas, MP for Oldham East and Saddleworth, has written to complain to Oldham council’s Cabinet member for the environment, Councillor Mark Alcock.

Mr Woolas says it is the second time in two weeks that the road has flooded.

He backed up fire brigade claims that drains were blocked and added: “It is unacceptable that this road, 900ft above sea level, should be subject to repeated flooding because remedial action has not been taken by the council to get the drains unblocked.”

One angry motorist, who had to make a detour because of flooding, said: “It was like driving into a lake. Several vehicles broke down trying to get through when their engines failed. It’s daft to think a road that is so high up can be affected in this way.”

At Bleak Hey Nook on Stanedge — an even higher point than Scouthead — one luckless householder had his former weavers’ cottage flooded to a depth of more than a foot.

Ian Wilshaw, a computer expert, moved into his terrace home, Fairbank House, with his wife in August. But in the space of 10 minutes, the house was deluged by a wall of water which came down a field, flooding the cellar and ruining carpets.

“The water just poured in,” said 55-year-old Mr Wilshaw. “It is not the council’s fault — the drains were cleared just a few weeks ago.

“The water came from fields opposite and the council have given me sandbags in case of any more problems.”

Saddleworth parish councillor Ken Hulme says he is investigating if there needs to be extra drainage. “Flooding is not just confined to valley bottoms,” he said.

Villagers in Delph and Diggle also reported large deposits of water across some parts of the community including Uppermill, where a torrent of water ran down the side of the Church Inn.

Firefighters from Hollins went to the rescue of one woman after a taxi got stuck in flooding at Daisy Nook. Heavy rain left the vehicle partially submerged at Stannybrook Road at 9.40am yesterday. A road closure was put in place from the Daisy Nook Garden Centre to the end of Cutler Hill Road.

Councillor Alcock said: “Heavy rain washed leaves that had been spread thinly over the road together on to the grates and blocked them, once these were removed by street sweepers the gullies operated as normal.

“Council staff have visited the site twice since to ensure that they have remained clear.”

To report localised flooding, call the council on 0161-770 6644.