Flooding scheme to protect a hundred homes in Oldham approved

A huge scheme to prevent more than a hundred homes from flooding in Saddleworth has been given the green light – but it will mean more than six months of road closures.

Oldham’s cabinet has this week signed off on major drainage works around the village of Delph, which will begin from September 16.

Engineers will construct a surface water highway drain along Huddersfield Road, Gatehead Avenue and Lark Hill Lane to help prevent future flooding.

However bosses say because the drain is located in the middle of the highway it will require closure of a section of Huddersfield Road for 28 weeks for work to be carried out safely.

The vast majority of funding – around £635,000 – is coming from the Environment Agency, which the council made a bid to in 2017 after a number of properties along Huddersfield Road and Gatehead Road flooded.

Councillor Ateeque Ur Rehman, cabinet member for neighbourhood services, told the meeting, “Gatehead and Huddersfield Road area have been identified as a local priority area for flood-risk management.

“There is a history of flooding in the Gateshead area and along the Huddersfield Road.

“There are 110 domestic properties and 43 commercial sites that are affected by the flooding and we have been successful in obtaining some grant from the Environment Agency.

“The total contribution from Oldham council is £60,000, against a total cost of £695,000.”

The works include the construction of proposed highway drainage, including pipe, manholes, gullies and the construction of an outfall structure. 

Council leader Sean Fielding added, “This is proposals for Labour-controlled Oldham council investment in Saddleworth, which some people would have you believe doesn’t happen.”

The report states that the works will also improve the highway network for users, including pedestrians, cyclists and other vulnerable road users. 

During the road closure, local diversions via Huddersfield Road, Delph New Road, Dobcross New Road, Standedge Road and Huddersfield Road will be put in place.

But chiefs are asking motorists to make extra time for journeys, especially during peak times.

In a statement, Coun Ur Rehman said, “We know that closing a main road is never ideal, but our highways engineers have undertaken detailed surveys, and this is the only way the work can be carried out.

“This drainage work is vital and once it is finished it will hopefully mean properties in this are no longer under the threat of flooding and people no longer face the threat of losing their belongings.”

TfGM and First Bus have both been consulted and letters have been sent to residents and businesses who area immediately affected. 

Pedestrian and vehicle access to businesses and residential properties will be maintained.

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