Wave of concern over submerged Billington road (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Wave of concern over submerged Billington road

8:00pm Thursday 4th October 2012 in News By Jessica Cree, Education reporter

CALLS are being made for improved drainage systems after the main road through a Ribble Valley village was flooded.

Whalley Road, in Billington, which passes under a railway bridge, became almost impassable as it found itself under around two feet of water when heavy rain hit the region yesterday morning.

Councillors are now calling for improvements to the drains to avoid any repeat in the future.

Coun Ged Mirfin, who represents the Billington and Old Langho ward, said developers also needed to make sure suff-icient infrastructure was put in place for any new developments.

He said: “I myself got flooded about four years ago, and I had a couple of feet of water in my living room.

“It is something that certain areas of Billington, which are quite close to the river, have been familiar with in the past.

“We have had issues with culverts that got blocked.

“Footpaths have been worn away by the heavy rain, and there are potholes in the road.

“We are doing our best, but we are dealing with quite an unusual situation.

“The level of new build in the Ribble Valley will make us think about the level of infrastructure needed to cope, including better, and more, drainage in order to confront it.”

Ribble Valley councillor Joyce Holgate said she agreed that action needed to be taken.

Coun Holgate continued: “We have to get Lancashire County Council to look at the situation and see what we can do because Whalley Road is a very busy road.

“I have known it flood before and the county council needs to put in measures to stop it flooding again.”