WORK is ongoing to repair a water main damaged during construction works at Peel Hall which has caused a “swimming pool feature” on land being developed for housing.
Campaigners who fought for years against proposals for 1,200 new homes and associated facilities on the green space believe the flooding issue highlights the problems they forecast about developing the land.
Wendy Johnson from the Peel Hall campaign group said: “It would appear workers have damaged a main water pipe that has created what residents describe as a ‘large swimming pool’ or water feature’ at the Birch Avenue/Poplars end of the site. Attempts to repair this, restore water pressure, and disperse surface water have been problematic. It’s a substantial amount of water, and the recent rain hasn’t helped matters. It’s become that much of a problem, some residents have voiced concerns about the water flooding into gardens.
“This water has nowhere to go. The Peel Hall Campaign Group warned everyone about the complexity of this site, its hydrology and flood risk issues were one of many brought to the table. We believe the developers are now cracking on to make up for lost time as access onto the site has also caused headaches and delays. Could inattention be the reason why this flooding has occurred?We’ve always said that Peel Hall is not compatible for such a major development, these ‘chickens’ could well be coming home to roost, and at such an early stage of this development.”
It’s understood the damage was not reported to United Utilities until Monday and engineers have attended several times since then to investigate and carry out repairs. There has been difficulty accessing the water main because of parked cars, additionally, as the main feeds a local medical centre, the teams have been carrying out work in the evenings to enable the water supply to be maintained during the day.
A United Utilities spokesperson said: “A water main in land off Birch Avenue was damaged by a third party at the weekend. Unfortunately, this wasn’t reported to us until two days later. Since then, our teams have attended several times to investigate and will be completing repairs this evening. We thank people for their patience and apologise for any inconvenience.”
The flooding follows on from residents’ concerns about the destruction of woodland and nature on the land which is being developed by Countryside Properties.
Warrington Borough Council say there have been no planning breaches from reports they have investigated.
3 Comments
This run off from Peel Hall regularly floods Birch Avenue, this accident or incompetence only adds to residents woes
Do you know what flood mitigation measures have been included in the developers plans Geoff? Or is an existing area known and prone to flood prior to this development simply going to drain into the existing local drainage network?
Countryside are somehow going to put in individual drainage for the new properties. Local residents like Tina and Sandra have submitted their concerns against phase two on behalf of birch Ave and elm ave residents. Poor Gil had his drive flooded the other week before any work began. So coutrysides cock up just added to his woes. Not to mention the NHS cars that block his dive. A local councillor said he couldn’t see a problem. I’ve written to the council with no response and let his MP know about the issue.