Floods focus now on blocked drains

BLOCKED drains in Diggle

FRUSTRATED residents have blamed blocked road drains and gullies for adding to the misery of the Boxing Day floods.

In Diggle, parish councillor Lesley Brown says Oldham Council has been aware of a blocked drain at Ward Lane which has caused a hazard for six years.

She said: “I’m fed up complaining about the drain. Nothing gets done.”

Parish council colleague Nicola Kirkham, who also serves on Oldham Council, lives in Delph, which was particularly hard hit by flooding.

She said: “The flooding was the worst I have ever seen. But in its wake, the borough is trying to resolve issues with blocked drains. Hopefully this will prevent flash flooding again.

“Whenever I have reported blocked drains, the team have been up to assist within hours. But this time exceptional weather took everybody by surprise - including the council. Lessons can be learned to keep on top of the drains and regularly clean them out.”

Robert Knotts, a parish councillor living at Austerlands, says he contacted the council about flooding on Platting Road, Scouthead, before Christmas.

He said: “The suspected cause is that the road drains are blocked. I was advised by the council that they are only cleared out once a year. They said clear-outs when needed aren’t carried out — it’s a most unsatisfactory attitude and approach.”

An Oldham Council spokesman said: “We have a planned schedule of gully cleaning across the borough.

“This is currently on track with a team working on it seven days a week. If residents report a problem this will be responded to or checked on a routine visit, if imminent.”