Kiln Lane, Dale Street and Edmund Street drains set for repairs

Flooding in Milnrow

Residents and businesses in the Milnrow and Newhey will be pleased to hear that much needed gully cleaning and drainage repairs Kiln Lane, Dale Street and Edmund Street are soon to commence.

Councillor Neil Butterworth, who has pushed hard for the cleaning and repairs, said: “There are several places where the drains have suffered 95% blocking. It is just not acceptable for this state of affairs to continue. I asked the relevant officers to expedite the repair works on the above streets in order to minimise the possibility of further flooding. I am pleased to let you know that this will take place imminently.

“We have other areas that need attention, gullies that are completely blocked need replacing.

"In addition, I am pushing the Environment Agency to dredge the River Beal, as it appears to be about 60 cm higher due to rubble deposits over the years.

"We have finally started on the gullies, but I think there’s a lot more to do.

“The changed weather patterns and deluges of rainwater we now tend to have are also impacting residents and businesses significantly with regard to unadopted roads.

“We have major problems in the ward and a lot of this effects people on unadopted roads, I have set up a scheme to help in these areas and joint funding is available to people who apply and meet the criteria.

"You need someone on the street to apply and fill in the paperwork and then it goes to Pennines Township Committee for approval, the money is there, it’s just not easy getting all residents to agree and chip in.

"Adopted roads are less of a problem, however the present, and in some cases Victorian infrastructure, is not adequate for the number of houses that have been built and will be built in the future. We need to put bigger drains through Milnrow and Newhey and invest in soak-away areas on the hills to delay rainwater from rushing down and flooding people’s houses and livelihoods. We need to start now before we build much needed houses.”

To get funding and assistance with completion of the forms for the ‘My Back Yard’, programme for unadopted roads, contact Councillor Butterworth:

neil.butterwoth@rochdale.gov.uk