Storming Norman – Drayton Road Flooding

Local resident Norman Huntbach is a professional Drainage Contractor of many years standing.

Norman lives close to the dip in the Market Drayton (A529) road near where the old railway bridge is.

For years this has been the subject of perennial flooding, reported many times to the apprpriate Cheshire East department.

Norman decided to do something about it, In his own words

"Just been down and dug out by hand the area surrounding the collapsed drain at Swanbach railway bridge.

I have also submitted this to the "Flood Risk Engineer" that has now taken responsibility for this issue."

He has received the following from Andrea Bickerton, Senior Highway Officer (Cheshire East Highways)

"Mr Huntbach
Following your e mail to officers notifying them that you have been excavating in the highway without permission or protection from any traffic management, I write to inform you that not only was this a dangerous decision to make for both yourself and the public, but it will now cost the tax payer money to make it safe with signing and guarding, reinstating the verge and cleaning of the carriageway. This will be financed by funds already greatly reduced this year, unless the decision is made to recover the costs from yourself.
"There may also be hidden underground utility pipes and cables that you have risked damaging.
I appreciate your concerns regarding flooding to the highway, however you have now created a hazard on the highway by your own actions.
"The Swanbach drainage issue is awaiting funding and will be risk scored in accordance with the councils asset led approach to all work carried out on the highway. I believe that this has already been explained to you.
"As previously stated the council has received a large reduction in funding this year therefore money is extremely tight and all schemes are being carefully considered and scrutinised before approval is given.
"If the carriageway floods on Green Lane we will either sign it appropriately, attend to draw the water off or if this cannot be achieved then we will close the road to keep it safe, until this scheme is successfully funded.
"Please do not carry out any further work in the highway.
Regards
Andrea"

Norman also reports that the Cheshire East have now come back to the site and filled in the hole, which Norman fears will block the offending drain still further.