More work in new year to tackle flooding in Ramsbottom

More work will take place in the new year to tackle flooding in Bolton Road West, Ramsbottom.

The problem has been caused by a culvert being breached multiple times by utility companies.

Council engineers have just carried out temporary works to divert the flow of water via a temporary culvert, which has alleviated the problem.

However, yet more unauthorised utility company services have been discovered during the work, running through the culvert in the road.

The council has now suspended work until it can expose the area fully and establish the full extent of the damage.

The plan is to carry out this excavation during the week starting 11 January. After that, the utility companies will divert their services out of the culvert and the council can then carry out permanent repairs.

Bolton Road West will remain open to traffic during the work, but under traffic signals. To minimise disruption, work will take place between 7am and 7pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 6pm on Saturdays.

Local residents are being leafleted to keep them informed of the situation.

Cllr Tony Isherwood, cabinet member for the environment, said: “The council is doing everything in its power to stop this flooding, which has been caused by four utility companies whose unauthorised installation of services has breached this culvert.

“We have every sympathy with residents who have had to put up with this disruption, and will ensure that the utility companies responsible act quickly so that the problem can be remedied, and at no cost to local taxpayers.”

ENDS

Press release issued: 23 December 2015.