MPs agent on the case for flooded businesses

Paul Rowen MP

Following representations by Rochdale Online on behalf of long suffering businesses at the oft flooded Bury Raod/Mellor Sreet junction, Paul Rowen's agent Dave Hennigan has emailed, on behalf of Mr Rowen, the Environment Agency seeking their help in resolving the impasse between Rochdale Council and United Utilities as to whose responsibility it is to solve the long term problem.

Mr Hennigan's letter:

"I am writing to you on behalf of Paul Rowen MP – Rochdale, regarding the story below.  Obviously at the moment several areas in the Borough are suffering from flooding.  The situation below is slightly different in that this problem has been ongoing for 15 years.  Residents in our constituency - on the junction of Bury Road and Mellor Street, Rochdale have suffered for 15 years and are being passed back and forward by United Utilities and the Council.  A significant number of businesses have been affected (the article below lists many of the problems).

"We are calling for the Environment Agency to intervene in this situation so that we can finally solve this ongoing dispute that is also causing numerous problems for local people and is a danger to pedestrians and drivers.  I would be happy to meet with someone from the EA and visit the site and discuss resolving this ongoing problem.

"We have formally written to you but need urgent action to finally resolve this problem."

----------------------------------------------------------------

Story from: www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/News/news.asp?ID=5519

Mellor Street/Bury Road junction awash again!

For the second time already this year, and the sixth time in the past year, the junction of Bury Road and Mellor Street was submerged today (Tuesday 15 January). The problem is a long term one that has affected the junction for at least 15 years and yet neither the Council nor utility company United Utilities is prepared to accept responsibility, passing the buck to each other when long suffering businesses at the junction complain.

Worst affected is CTV Services, owner Mrs Foster said: "Due to this happening we have had now to use measures to counter the flooding such as having a flood gate built, a grid inside just in case it gets past the flood gate, sand bags in front of the door, which obviously stops trade and we run the risk of not only structural damage but also electrical with regards to the consumer products. We have had no customers today.

"The Council and United Utilities pass us from pillar to pillar and both say its not their responsibility and mess us about. The previous owner and Mellor Street Garage spent money on solicitors to try and get something done but it never has. We pay for the water meter and for it to be cleaned and no one does anything when the flooding happens.

"Before we had the flood gate and grid inside when it did flood it used to pour in and once we had to claim on the insurance for a new carpet because it was ruined due to water and mud and everything else that it brings in with it. Then we have to get the front of the shop cleared before we can even open - today we had to do that ourselves and again doing so we lost a whole morning of trade."

Peter Jackson of Mellor Street Garage said: "Health and hygiene is a problem because we don’t know what is coming up through the sewers, whether it is toxic or human waste and it’s disgusting and it stinks. When this happens we have to shut up the garage due to health and safety and hygiene reasons, and the fact that no customers can get in and out of the garage.

"We have had this for about 15 years, we have tried talking to the Council and the water company but both of them said it was to do with the other and not themselves.

“We have tried everything to the point of getting solicitors involved but because no one will take responsibility or accept liability it was becoming quite expensive and it was like throwing dead money around.

"We have lost a days trade and tonight we will have to spend a good four hours cleaning the garage of all the waste and effluent, sweeping it away with brushes and using disinfectant everywhere because we don’t know what is in it all!"