Darwen residents call for action over blocked culvert causing flooding in homes (From Blackburn Citizen)
When news happens, text LT and your photos and videos to 80360. Or contact us by email or phone.
Darwen residents call for action over blocked culvert causing flooding in homes
10:00pm Saturday 10th November 2012 in News
RESIDENTS in Darwen are calling for action over a blocked culvert which is causing homes to flood on a regular basis.
The culvert behind Birch Hall Avenue, close to the junction with Ribble Avenue, is covered in leaves, branches and pieces of timber.
Residents living in the houses closest to it have suffered during heavy rain, when the culvert overflows, causing water to flood their homes.
Glenn Evans, 35, said he had been told by the Environment Agency that as it was a ‘secondary waterway’ it was the council’s job to clear the culvert.
He said: “Several neighbours have been flooded two or three times.
“But for years and years, different organisations have just passed the buck.
“I have recently spoken to the Environment Agency who told me it is a secondary waterway and so the council should maintain it.
“For years I have been on to them but they have done nothing.”
Mr Evans said a couple who had lived there for years were moving away because of the problem.
He said: “One elderly couple are actually moving away because they just keep getting flooded.
“The council just doesn’t seem to care.
“It is covered in branches, logs and litter.
“There is an argument that the culvert is simply not big enough now that all the houses have been built, but the council should still clear it.”
Earcroft councillor Trevor Maxfield said: “There has always been a problem with flooding on that part of Birch Hall, near Hyndburn Drive, as it was built in the wrong area.
“I used to live on Ribble Avenue and we had water under our floorboards on a regular basis.
“We just have to deal with it in the best way we can.”
Comments(12)
2 for 5p
says...
12:09am Sun 11 Nov 12
OH it's good to livE on a hill
eastlancslad
says...
1:41pm Sun 11 Nov 12
stillgame
says...
3:52pm Sun 11 Nov 12
s_smith
says...
4:50pm Sun 11 Nov 12
.
I would suggest that those people being affected by flooding, instead of running to the paper, or the council, pull their finger out and start tackling the landowner(s) of the culvert.
.
It is bad enough that the local authority is having to pick up the tab for clearing out the River Darwen culvert on the A666; again, it is those who own the culvert top to ensure that the watercourse underneath is clear and unobstructed.
useyourhead
says...
5:04pm Sun 11 Nov 12
2 for 5p
says...
6:42pm Sun 11 Nov 12
eastlancslad wrote:That's not spite it's stating a fact that's all
You really are spiteful aren't you 2for5p.
GlennEvans
says...
12:11am Mon 12 Nov 12
s_smith wrote:This article refers to a problem with the culvert itself, it is a secondary waterway to which the local authority is responsible.
Well, if the culvert runs under these peoples properties, they have riparian ownership of the culvert and it is the landowners responsibility to keep the culverts clear - NOT the EA, and NOT BwDBC.
.
I would suggest that those people being affected by flooding, instead of running to the paper, or the council, pull their finger out and start tackling the landowner(s) of the culvert.
.
It is bad enough that the local authority is having to pick up the tab for clearing out the River Darwen culvert on the A666; again, it is those who own the culvert top to ensure that the watercourse underneath is clear and unobstructed.
Did you not read the article ??
Tax payers like myself have every right to 'run off to the council' and after 8 years of ignoring the problem, i think we are quite right to 'run to the papers' as your pleasant self has put it :-)
GlennEvans
says...
12:13am Mon 12 Nov 12
english rose 1
says...
12:29am Tue 13 Nov 12
GlennEvans wrote:Have you spoken directly to Coun Maxfield GlennEvans ? His telephone number is widely publicised as is his e-mail.
I see Mr Maxfield has not replied yet to the first post, please Mr Maxfield just what did you mean by " the best way can " ?
Surely he cannot be expected to reply via the LT Comment page ?
I've always found him to be very helpful.
bril67
says...
11:09am Tue 13 Nov 12
bril67
says...
11:15am Tue 13 Nov 12
Darrens Delivery Service says...
11:23pm Sat 10 Nov 12
"We have to deal with it in the best way we can"
You are a councillor for earcdoft ward... Get it sorted...
Not difficult!