Councillor Kelly slams council over flooding

Flooding in Milnrow

Councillor Andy Kelly has slammed the Council for "ignoring residents and businesses plight" after heavy rainfall left parts of Milnrow and Newhey under water again.

He is calling for a full review into drainage systems in the aera and said that urgent action is needed. He is calling for a halt to any future developments until flooding is under control.

Councillor Kelly says he has been inundated with calls from local residents and received numerous messages calling for help.

He said: "This is the fourth time in recent memory that this has happened. It just can't go on. I have received complaints that The Bobbin Pub is flooded again, Carpet Creations and houses on Shaw Road at the junction of Huddersfield Road and Harbour Lane were also under water.

"Residents are absolutely furious and threatening to cancel council tax and business rate payments.

The Council is not doing enough to help. It's been 10 months since the last flooding and very little has happened. Our drains are full to capacity and our weak infrastructure and increase in house building hasn't helped.

"I am calling for a full review of drainage systems in The Pennines.

"Residents rightly feel that this council is not on their side. This simply cannot happen again and it's time that the council acted to finally protect local people from flooding. I have called on the Council to do something for years, including a more regular clean up of our gullies.

"I am proposing that any big developments in Milnrow and Newhey are put on hold until we deal with the flooding issues that blight our area."

Dave Bamford, from Smith Hill, Milnrow said: "Yet again our drainage systems simply could not cope.

"Looking at the flooding at the bottom of Kiln Lane in particular, the Council needs to work with United Utilities to put a new line from Kiln Lane to the river as the current one is obviously blocked and not fit for the purpose.

"These floods are not good for businesses in the village and urgent action is needed.

"I appreciate that the storm was severe, but other areas in our borough seemed to cope just fine.

"I welcome any review that will protect local residents and businesses from flooding."