Browse Sections

• Education
• Special reports

Second report ordered into flooding

Chris Jones
25/ 9/2008

COUNCILLORS have ordered another report into the June floods that caused havoc for householders and drivers in the town, mostly in Rhodes.

Speaking at this month's Middleton Township Committee meeting, Andrew Shaw from the Highways Department presented a report on the floods that closed roads and flooded homes and businesses earlier this year.

However, councillors at the Township meeting, held last Thursday (11 September) said they were not satisfied by the content of the report which they said had failed to address key issues they initially asked to be looked into.

They passed a motion requesting Highways draft a new report to be presented at the next Township meeting in November.

Councillor Peter Williams, chairman of Middleton Township, said: "At the last Township meeting we called for a report relating to flooding, gully cleaning and how the council can work with United Utilities to address problem areas.

"This report talks in very general terms about working with partner agencies, but it is not addressing the specific issues of how United Utilities and the Environment Agency can address these problem areas."

Councillor Michael Holly, whose Middleton south ward was one of the worst affected by the floods as torrential rain engulfed a stretch of Manchester Old Road and flooded the cellars of a row of terraced houses, also called for a new report.

He said "My major concern is what pressure can be put on United Utilities to do something regarding the sewers on Manchester Old Road. There are major problems down there when we have heavy rain, and its flooded twice in two years now."

Cllr Williams added: "We want residents to know we are on the case and are trying to get action. We reiterate our call for a report to find out what action is being taken and by who in relation to various specific sites which flood.

"We also want to know how each will be dealt with because we know something needs to be done in each case."

A second report is expected to be presented to the next meeting of Middleton Township Committee.