MP raises a stink over blocked drains

There has been a problem with who takes responsibility for the drain

A blocked drain in Chadderton has led to a local MP demanding action from United Utilities.

Oldham West and Royton MP Jim McMahon has demanded accountability and a timescale on the completion of works for a blocked drain on Block Lane, Chadderton. The blockage has continued for over a year with local residents complaining that no progress has been made.

The MP said: “There’s been back and forth discussions for a number of months now about who’s responsibility it is to sort this mess on Block Lane out. United Utilities said at the start of August they would send a camera down the drain to assess the situation and clean it if necessary.”

“It’s been more than a month since then and no further action has been taken, enough is enough. Residents shouldn’t have to deal with the smell, the sight and the mess that this blocked drain is causing.”

“It needs to be resolved so that’s why I’ve written to United Utilities asking for a plan and a timescale. This is the absolute basics, and it needs to be put right so that we can all live in somewhere pleasant and clean. Residents aren’t asking for anything out of the ordinary and they’re rightly annoyed that nothing has happened yet.”

A United Utilities spokesperson said: “We are aware of an issue on Block Lane and have been working with the council to investigate the cause.

“Our initial investigations have found that the highway gully has either collapsed or is blocked and that there is a separate issue of sewage leaking into the gully.  The council is responsible for the maintenance of highway drainage.  We are currently awaiting a permit to carry out further works to understand the source of the sewage.

“We will continue to work in collaboration with the council to resolve the issue and would like to apologise to residents for the inconvenience caused.”  

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