A MAJOR flood relief scheme to protect more than 100 properties has been delayed by the discovery of an unexpected blockage.

The £1million project in Earby has been set back due to a major obstruction being discovered whilst drilling the new culvert beneath the disused railway embankment just under halfway along the route.

The scheme, to provide vital protection to 91 homes and 17 businesses the town, is now unlikely to hit its October completion date.

The news has dismayed Pendle MP. Andrew Stephenson and Cllr David Whipp, who represents the town on the borough and county councils.

The project involves constructing a new culvert beneath a disused railway embankment, re-lining and replacing sections along a second culvert under Victoria Road and the A56 Skipton Road.

An improved trash screen will be fixed at the inlet of the culvert.

Paul Swales, from the Environment Agency, said other elements of the project were progressing well

Mr Stephenson said: “Like residents and businesses in Earby I’m frustrated by the delay to the flood reduction work

Cllr David Whipp ssaid: “After waiting two and a half years for this work to begin, I’m stunned that work has literally ground to a halt on the section of culvert that’s 90 per cent blocked beneath the old railway line.

“This is the part of the watercourse which contributed to severe flooding on Boxing Day 2015 and the length in greatest need of being sorted out."

He added:“Local residents will be rightly angry that their homes remain at a heightened risk of flooding whilst this is, hopefully, sorted out. It’s just not good enough.”