URGENT work to protect a number of houses from flooding is being brought forward – despite likely traffic congestion arising from other works nearby.
Several houses in Heath Lane, Croft have been flooded twice during recent periods of heavy rainfall so borough council chiefs have decided to start work on Monday (December 17).
Originally it was to have been carried out in the New Year.
The work, which involves clearing out a main gully, will require temporary traffic lights in Heath Lane.
Traders in Culcheth are already angry at delays to bridge works being carried out in Wilton Lane, Culcheth which they say are having a damaging impact on business in the village centre.
They fear additional traffic disruption in Heath Lane will exacerbate their problems in the run-up to Christmas.
Naomi Simpson, of the Forget-me-Not toy and book shop in the CPS centre said: “Some shopkeepers have been badly hit in what should be their busiest time of the year and are thinking of claiming compensation by way of reductions in their business rates.
“We were told the Wilton Lane works would be completed before Christmas, but now they are carrying on until mid-February because of unforeseen problems.
“If we are to have temporary traffic lights in Heath Lane as well, the problems could get worse.”
Cllr Chris Vobe said:”The Wilton Lane road closure has been a fiasco and someone needs to hold up
their hands and admit, ‘We got this wrong’.
cannot be disputed. But the way in which the council have liased with local
traders has been a monumental farce. In these difficult economic times, the
council should be doing all it can to support small businesses who not only
provide jobs for local people, but help to keep our town’s economy moving.
trade has fallen. We saw that evidenced on Victorian Day when visitors from
Lowton and Golborne tailed off. I can see no credible reason why this work
wasn’t carried out over the summer, during a naturally quieter period, instead
of impacting so heavily on the festive season.”
Cllr Les Hoyle said: “The borough council has decided to bring the Heath Lane work forward because some houses have been flooded twice this year.
“It is very unfortunate the two schemes will now overlap, but the council must try and protect homes from flooding.
“One family is having to live out at Lowton temporarily because their house is taking so long to dry out.”
United Utilities are also installing a new pumping station to alleviate flooding problems in the area.
