Council responds to Saddleworth flooding concerns

Oldham Council has responded to concerns raised about its flooding approach in Saddleworth by local councillors. 

The Liberal Democrats on Saddleworth Parish Council called for "straight answers" from the council on flooding in the wake of Storm Christoph, which swept across the borough last week, with the Saddleworth area particularly affected as rivers flooded and properties were left without power. 

They asked for proof that their approach to cleaning drains and gullies works given the conditions faced in Saddleworth, for the information the council is using to check the impact of housebuilding in Saddleworth on flooding, and how it's keeping an eye on locations which flood frequently and what measures it uses to address them. 

Liberal Democrat Councillor Sam Al-Hamdani (pictured) said: "This is such a concern to people in Saddleworth, and we want to see that the decisions taken are sensible and fair. We all know that budgets have been cut, and that there are difficult decisions to be made, but we need to have confidence in the way that decisions are being taken.

“Despite the Liberal Democrats putting forward proposals to the Borough Council to double the investment in drain and gulley clearing – which have never once been supported by the Conservative councillors in Saddleworth – no increases have been forthcoming.”

The forthcoming Neighbourhood Plan for Saddleworth is due to include a specific section on flooding, and the parish council say the borough council's response will help to inform the approach it takes. 

In response, the council say its teams undertake scheduled cleaning of gullies to recommended industry-wide standards and mechanically sweep channels and clean gullies in known hotspots before any severe rain warning. 

The authority also say its officers are working with the parish council to prepare the Neighbourhood Plan. 

Councillor Barbara Brownridge, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods and Culture, said: “The staff in Oldham Council’s Highways Team are out in all weathers maintaining the borough’s roads.

“They do a good job and this year has been particularly testing due to the impact of Covid on the staff.

“Our teams undertake scheduled cleaning of gullies to recommended industry-wide standards. We’ve had a lot of rain recently, but our monitoring has found nothing to suggest the gullies have struggled to cope.

“Before any severe rain warning we mechanically sweep channels and clean gullies in known hotspots, to reduce the impact of flash rainfall events, as during Storm Christoph.

“Analysis shows that since 2016 only five per cent, or less, of flooding can be attributed to gully issues. River flooding and sewers being over capacity are the two main causes, neither of which are the council’s responsibility. Last week’s the Tame and Medlock Rivers flooded.

“With regard to planning, council officers are working with Saddleworth Parish Council to prepare the Saddleworth Neighbourhood Plan, providing advice and guidance on planning policy matters, including flooding issues. 

“All planning applications are assessed using national planning policies to ensure development is directed away from areas identified as having the highest flood risk.

“As part of any development drainage measures are put in place, following input and advice from the Lead Local Flood Authority, the Environment Agency, and United Utilities.”