Plans in the pipeline to aid flood-hit alley

Neighbours plagued by serious flooding from near-by sports pitches in Hollinwood can finally see light at the end of the tunnel.

Muddy water from the fields at Merton Avenue was making alleyways at the back of houses unusable.

And after Oldham Council recently began work on correcting the problem by renewing drainage, residents have now been given another reason to cheer. Drainage work is set to be followed by alleygates, successfully used in other parts of the borough to keep out vandals.

Householders are also working on a lottery bid to pay for surfacing the alley so it can become a community asset.

Councillor Phil Holley said: “Residents told us that water streams off the fields and down the backs of the houses on Merton Avenue, washing all of the surface away.

“When we saw how serious the problem was, we started campaigning on residents’ behalf for action to be taken.

“Now all parts of the jigsaw are coming together.”

Merton Avenue resident Jean Berry said: “I’ve lived here for 19 years and we’ve been fighting for something to be done ever since then. I am glad that work is finally being done to sort it out.”