Flooded subway forces Skelmersdale families to cross busy road

Sep 20 2012 by Tom Duffy, Skelmersdale Advertiser

SKELMERSDALE children and pensioners have been forced to dodge traffic on a busy road because an underpass had been flooded with rain water.

Tanhouse residents told their MP Rosie Cooper that the underpass beneath Tanhouse Road had been flooded with three feet of summer rain water, forcing people to cross the road.

Vera Arnold and Marie Smith, who live on the Ennerdale estate, met with their MP at the entrance to the flooded underpass on September 14.

The MP immediately contacted Lancashire County Council to seek action.

Ms Cooper said: “While I was at the underpass, a number of people came to the entrances only to realise that without waders they were not getting through.

“It is simply a disgrace that people are being prevented from using the underpasses.

“Given the water levels, it is clear that the drains were blocked and cannot be being maintained properly. I know this is not the first time flooding of underpasses has happened. This situation cannot go on.

“As we know, the design of Skelmersdale new town always intended pedestrians to use the underpasses instead of having a traditional pavement system but underpasses are not much use if they are flooded and people cannot use them. These underpasses are a public highway and should be kept clear at all times.

“This incident highlights a number of problems with the underpass system.

“Not only are they not being properly maintained but there is a lack of safe alternative routes for pedestrians to use.

“In other areas of the town, people have also written to me complaining about underpasses encouraging all kinds of anti-social behaviour.

“It begs the question of whether the underpasses should be closed and safer crossings should be provided at street level.”

Andrew Burrows, highways manager for Lancashire County Council, said: "Investigations have shown that the drains in this underpass have over the years been narrowed by a build-up of limescale deposits which both restricts the capacity of the drains and makes them more likely to block up if detritus or rubbish is washed down.

“A working group has been set up.”