The Liberal Democrats on Saddleworth Parish Council are asking for straight answers on flooding from Oldham Borough Council. With the winter storms upon us, flooding issues are a pressing concern for Saddleworth residents. The group have requested answers on a range of flooding issues and their impact on planning decisions.
They have asked the Borough Council to provide proof that their approach to cleaning drains and gullies works, given the conditions faced in Saddleworth; for the information that OMBC is using to check the impact of housebuilding in Saddleworth on flooding; and how they’re keeping an eye on locations which flood frequently, and what measures they use to address them.
Liberal Democrat Councillor Sam Al-Hamdani 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 response from the Borough Council will help to inform the approach taken by the Parish Council.