WASHED OUT?

(Pictures by Stuart Coleman Photography)

THESE DRAMATIC pictures show the unstoppable floods that swept across Saddleworth last summer, wreaking havoc for residents and businesses.

Well-i-Hole Road in Greenfield was closed off as the River Tame burst its banks, main roads were swamped with water and drains were overwhelmed by heavy rainfall. 

But in a bid to prevent the same happening again, organisations are calling for residents in Saddleworth – one of three flooding hotspots in Oldham – to help identify key problem areas.

In a joint project by the Environment Agency, United Utilities and Oldham Council via Unity Partnership, the information will be used to address flooding issues and develop a strategic plan to apply for funding from central government.

Taking into account properties at risk from flooding, possible solutions and costs, funding will be allocated for a prevention study in 2014/15 according to priority assessment of areas nationwide.

Gordon Anderson, Highways and Engineering manager at Unity Partnership, said at a consultation meeting last month: “Residents are a vital source of information to help identify problems. We want to engage with the community to develop our strategy.”

Residents are encouraged to send in photographs, videos and details about flooding past and present in their area to help collate as many first-hand experiences as possible.

But at the meeting, organised by Saddleworth North Councillor Garth Harkness, residents voiced concerns that problems have previously been reported but never addressed.

Sue Eachus, a civil engineer who lives on Delph New Road, said “I reported problems repeatedly last year but the council did nothing. I’m disgusted.

“The balancing pond has been taken out at Gatehead Mill, the bridge is too low, and the river has not been dredged for far too long. It’s causing all sorts of problems.”

John Flaherty, who lives on Burnedge Lane in Grasscroft, added: “Most of my problems are caused by council sweepers brushing leaves and rubbish into the gullies and road drains.

“I’ve asked Oldham Council numerous times to stop but it is water off a duck’s back. I even had to tell them one of the gullies is there. All they have to do is just jet it twice a year.

“I’ve lived here for 15 years and it’s a constant problem. The water comes down into my house foundations and lies dormant in the air bricks and starts to smell.”

And with no representative from United Utilities present at the meeting, residents were not convinced everyone is committed to producing positive solutions.

But Cllr Garth Harkness, who is writing to United Utilities about their absence, insisted residents need to seize the chance to unlock the money and address the area’s flooding issues.

He said: “There have been difficulties in the past and a lack of understanding of where to go.

“I think it is often assumed that the flooding instances are well known – the reality is that often the officers are unaware and they are not all based locally.

“The more evidence we have the better the case for the bid for funding to support the large-scale project will be. So I would urge anyone who has instances of flooding and particularly flooding in properties to submit the information.”

Any reports of flooding problems should be sent in with a time, date, water course (where it is coming from) and the exact location to enquiries@environment-agency.gov.uk or highways@oldham.gov.uk

For advice or information about flash flooding, contact Lynsey Cottle by ringing 07917 246493 or emailing lynsey.cottle@environment-agency.co.uk.