Drive damaged by flood water

FLOODS like this damaged Alan and Christine Collett's driveway in Armit Road, Friezland

A DISGRUNTLED Friezland couple are counting the cost of recent thunderstorms, after heavy rain forced torrents of underground water to burst up through their drive.

Alan and Christine Collett say that a culvert outside their Armit Road home is so badly constructed that every time it rains heavily, water gushes up through the tarmac, damaging the surface.

Mr Collett (73) said: “When the rain came down on Friday, it was like nothing you have seen before. The water was literally gushing everywhere.

“The drive and footpath in front of our house is pretty much impassable now and the council has even had to erect some barriers to stop people walking on it. There’s certainly no way I can park my car on it.”

The Colletts say they have been battling this problem since the 1980s and their drive is now littered with deep holes and giant lumps.

Mr Collett said: “I don’t fancy walking along the drive because the ground is so unstable, you get the feeling parts of it might collapse underfoot.

“It’s even worse for houses further down the road, which have been flooded because of the terrible drainage.”

Mr Collett is so frustrated with the problem that he is considering suing Oldham Council.

He said: “I’ve been liaising with the council about this issue for so many years now and I’ve never got a satisfactory response.

“I’ve already had to spend many thousands getting my drive repaired and this time I’ve decided I’m not doing it anymore.

“As far as I’m aware, the council is responsible for the upkeep of this culvert and it needs to be fixed urgently, because the way it has been constructed means it’s not fit for purpose.

“My insurance company might be looking to recover any future costs from the council because I’ve forked out for repairs and tried to get it sorted for years and I’m simply at my wits’ end now.”
Oldham Council was unavailable for comment.