Flood hit Nelson road needs sorting 'urgently' before motorist 'aquaplanes into someone's garden'

Councillor Mohammed Iqbal raised concerns with the County Council's highways department after being contacted by a Pendle resident in relation to a danger road in Nelson.

Stephen Comer, who lives on Reedyford Road, said for the last four years there have been issues with the carriageway directly in front of his house, which floods whenever heavy rain occurs.

The 60-year-old, who is registered disabled, said the flooding, which is thought to be the result of a damaged culvert from the demolished mill behind his property, conceals the speed bumps, with 'boy racers' zooming down the street at speed, causing the huge flood puddle to splash over his garden wall.

He also said on a bad day, the water reaches the height of his doorstep, and if nothing is done, there is sure to be an accident.

Mr Comer said: "When they pulled the old mill down the culvert collapsed, and a temporary drain was put in but it's broken and doesn't work as the road keeps flooding.

"The water comes from the broken drain and up to my doorstep and I can't get out of my front gate. I have to go through next door's garden just to leave the house.

"The council have been down to put up flood signs but it's no good.

"I only moved in two years ago but this has been going on for at least four years as far as I can tell.

"Then at night, you get the boy racers driving through the flood water at speed just for fun, and if they're not careful there's going to be an accident."

Mr Comer said when the water is at its worse, the pavement is impassable on foot, and raised concerns that if a car hit the concealed speed bumps, or even a rock or other item under the water, it could result in a nasty incident.

He added: "Cllr Mohammed Iqbal is involved but now it is becoming a safety hazard as teenagers like to drive through the flood to see how high they can splash the water.

"The council keeps on promising to fix it but they haven't and it's a safety risk."

Councillor Mohammed Iqbal said he had been aware of the issue for a number of years and shared Mr Comer's frustrations.

He said: "I have raised this issue with the County Council as it's been ongoing for around four years now.

"The County Council need to do something as a matter or urgency and implement the relevant safety measures before someone aquaplanes into someone's front garden.

"I even told the former cabinet member for highways, Keith Iddon, about the situation two years ago and he said it would get sorted but it hasn't.

"So I've contacted the new highways cabinet member, Charlie Edwards to sort it as a matter of urgency.

"I believe there has been a flood risk sign put in place but all it needs is someone coming down Reedyford Road in darkness, missing the sign and ploughing into someone's garden.

"Signs are no good, we need action."

Cabinet member for highways at Lancashire County Council, County Councillor Charlie Edwards said he will make sure the matter is investigated.

He added: "Whenever a resident raises concerns I try my hardest to investigate to see what we can do.

"I completely understand the residents' frustrations and I will do what I can to mitigate the problem."

Michael Dand, highways area manager for Lancashire County Council, said: "We understand how important it is to address the flooding issue on Reedyford Road.

"We've carried out drainage surveys and the fault has been found.

"We've placed an order for the work to fix it and hope this will begin soon."