Hyndburn Labour MP Sarah Smith has taken to social media to complain about Lancashire County Council’s clearing of drains and gullies.
She said she was ‘baffled’ by the Reform UK-led highways authority’s performance on the issue.
Mrs Smith posted on Facebook: “I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve had to report the most basic issues not being dealt with by Lancashire County Council.
“This week’s update is honestly baffling.
“I’ve been told that residents across Hyndburn and Haslingden could be waiting up to two years for blocked drains and gullies to be cleared. Two years.
“We deserve far better than this. These are everyday problems that can affect people’s day-to-day life.
"When our Reform Party councillors were elected, there were big promises about cutting waste and getting services back on track.
“From what I’m seeing, there’s been no improvement. If anything, roads and local services are getting worse.
“I’m continuing to push for action and hold them to account.
“The government has provided millions in funding to tackle exactly these issues.
“There’s simply no excuse for this level of delay.
“This needs sorting. Not good enough.”
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A Lancashire County Council spokesman said: “We manage around 294,000 roadside gullies across the county through a planned, rolling cleaning programme, helping to keep them free‑flowing throughout the year.
“Where there is an immediate danger to life or property, we will undertake emergency cleansing.
“This approach allows us to manage flood risk across the county and helps inform future maintenance activity.”
Accrington West and Oswaldtwistle Central County Cllr Sohail Asghar, who was elected to the authority last year as a Green and later gave up the party whip after being arrested over allegations of modern slavery and is contesting Spring Hill ward as an Independent on May , took to Tik-Tok to praise the county council’s work on clearing drains and gullies.
In a video he said: “I’m on Blackburn Road outside Ibby Barbers and the businessman got in touch with me a few days ago regarding a blocked gully outside his shop and we reported it to LCC on April 14. The cam out on the 21st and came and inspected the situation and then on the 24th they came and cleansed the gully.
“When I was elected last year our honourable Haji Safdar Saab got in touch with us and said all these gullies and gutters in our area need cleansing.
“So the next day I went out and we reported all the gullies and gutters and after some time they got cleansed so I just want to say a big, big thank-you to LCC for the work that they have done.”
