RESIDENTS are celebrating after a new drain has been installed to combat a long-standing issue of surface water flooding gardens and garages in Chorley.

Locals on a stretch of Preston Road in Whittle-le-Woods have been calling for action appears to have been resolved, much to the relief of residents, by a new drain that has been installed.

The issue was brought to the attention of local County Councillor, Andrew Snowden, who represents the area since he won the seat in May. Over a period of months he has worked with residents and the Council to get a solution.

Cllr Snowden said “This has been going on for years and residents were showing me videos of their garages flooding along with their entire gardens being turned into ponds.

“If something was not done it would only be a matter of time before it flooded someone’s home”.

He added: “When I told them about the extra £300k the Conservatives were putting into more drain clearing since winning control in May, they were delighted – but it was clear from the go that this would need another solution due to the gradient of the road”.

Cllr Snowden worked for months with Highways Inspectors and other Council staff and managed to get an additional drain installed which takes the water away from the gardens and into the main drains.

Magda Cullens, a Preston Road resident and community campaigner recently went to inspect the additional drain with Cllr Snowden to see how it was working.

Madga said “I live a little bit further up on Preston Road and had witnessed many times the previous flooding due to surface water.

“I was delighted that Andrew managed to get a solution for this for the peace of mind of local residents and more importantly that it is actually working – well done”.

Cllr Alan Cullens added: “This is great news for people who have been affected by flooding.

“It has caused lots of disruption to the lives of residents and hopefully this will go some way to helping reduce the problem in future.”

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