Election hopefuls pledge action to save flooded playing fields

THREE election hopefuls at Warrington have pledged their commitment to do everything possible to save flooded playing fields at Woolston.
Chris Vobe, Pat Wright and Andrew Hill – Labour candidates for the borough council seats at Rixton and Woolston – have pressed for action over the playing fields at Hillock Lane which have flooded so often in recent months they have been dubbed “the Woolston Lake.”
Inadequate drainage is being blamed for the problem and now the borough council has produced a report setting out options for the future at the request of the three activists.
In a joint statement, the trio said: “We have been in constant communication with the borough council since the issues with the flooding on Hillock Lane were first brought to our attention. We are committed to exploring every viable option to save the Playing Fields, and restore this valuable asset for use by the community.
“We asked senior council officers to commission a report on the options available to us for remedying the current flooding problems. There are a number of opportunities which present themselves, including a commitment of capital funding from the borough council.
“As the playing fields are so well used by local sports teams, we are also looking to organisations such as the Football Foundation and Sport England, who may be able to help us through their Pitch Improvement Programme. We are also insisting that the council involve partner organisations such as the Environment Agency, who could provide another source of funding as they have elsewhere in the town.
“As a direct result of our intervention, positive steps have already been taken. The council has commissioned a drainage study – at the moment, the site does not have a “positive outfall” which means that whatever improvements are made to pitch drainage, the full benefit will not be realised as there is nowhere for the water to effectively discharge to.
“We will then look to engage readily with relevant stakeholders and other funding bodies, to gather the money needed to implement the recommendations of the council’s study.
“Whilst a scheme of this size cannot be implemented overnight, we are absolutely determined to see this project through to completion, and do all we can to secure the investment that our area deserves, restore the Hillock Lane Playing Fields, and end the flooding problems once and for all.”