Families in Littleborough forced out of their homes due to landslide

Photo: Councillor John Hartley

Families living on Whitfield Brow off of Todmorden Road, Littleborough forced out of their homes due to landslide

1 More Image(s) In Gallery

Nine families living on Whitfield Brow off of Todmorden Road, Littleborough were told to leave their homes on New Year’s Eve after a landslide partially crushed a gas main and to date only two families have been allowed to return home as the ground is still too unstable to carry out repairs.

The landslide, which happened due to heavy rain, occurred on land behind the family homes and lead to fears of an explosion.

Councillor John Hartley, who lives on Whitfield Brow, said: “One of my neighbours came to my house on 29 December and asked me to come and have a look. At first I only saw a few stones and pebbles but then he told me to look elsewhere and that’s when I could see it all.

“After that families were given notice to say that they couldn’t stay in their homes because it wasn’t safe.”

National Grid have stated that the landslide moved a retaining wall.

A spokesperson for National Grid said: “We believe it could have damaged a gas pipe and so as a precaution, have cut off the gas to a small number of homes. Our understanding is that the council have evacuated these homes anyway because of fears of a further landslide.

“We are liaising with the council and are currently waiting for them to determine how they are going to make the site safe so that we can inspect our pipe and make plans for restoring gas supplies.”

National Grid also stated that that was no “major risk of explosion”.

Councillor Hartley added: “I know the council put the residents up for a short period of time but I’m not too sure how long that was for or if it is ongoing. We have now been told that the families have to wait for the results of a GPS Survey, which was started on Monday (11 January), before we can move forward with anything. We don’t know how long it’s going to be for the residents.”

Steve Rumbelow, Chief Executive at Rochdale Borough Council, said: “On New Years’ Eve nine homes on Whitfield Brow had to be evacuated due to a localised land slip and partial collapse of a supporting retaining wall which may have been caused by the extensive rainfall.

“A gas main had also been partially crushed by the landslip, which was made safe and isolated by the gas utility provider.

"We provided families directly affected with alternative accommodation and consultation with their own house insurers is now under way. We are currently providing assistance and support whilst monitoring the situation and taking specialist engineering advice.

"Some families have now been permitted to return to their homes and we are keeping the residents updated.”