Lancaster City Council teams were in action throughout yesterday, checking areas impacted by flooding, sweeping debris and supporting residents and businesses where needed. But locals have expressed frustration at poor maintenance of drains which it is believed caused many of the incidents that impacted many.
“This has been a real partnership effort, with, Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service, United Utilities, Lancashire County Council the Environment Agency and ourselves,” the Council said in a statement, “all working together to respond to issues caused by the intense rainfall.
Residents on the Marsh were flooded, and several city centre businesses were impacted, including Sainsbury’s, pubs and other stores.
“We had staff on the ground supporting tenants in the small number of council homes affected, as well as other residents who needed assistance,” the City Council said.
“Our teams are continuing to check in with those residents, but anyone experiencing unexpected costs and financial hardship as a result of the flooding may be able to access support through our Crisis & Resilience Fund.”
The Council has visited local businesses known to have been affected by the flood, but if any business needs help removing flooding-related debris, please contact the City Council at publicrealm@lancaster.gov.uk.
County Council, United Utilities responsible for road and drains
Some locals have been highly critical of local authorities after the floods, particularly for poor drain maintenance. One resident, for example, claimed drains on Westminster Road in Morecambe are full of gravel after it was relaid last year by Lancashire County Council.
Others have said their plights when their homes were flooded were ignored by Council staff who, one resident on the Facebook Lancaster Past and Present claimed, were prioritising council tenants over private residents, the Fire Brigade helping them instead.
Many people are unaware it is the responsibility for highway drainage lies with Lancashire County Council and the sewers are the responsibility of United Utilities, the City Council clearing up a mess not of their making, although, it has also been suggested by many, better communication between both councils might have helped and a more proactive approach to street management should be in effect.
Many have also asked why those responsible have not taken a more proactive approach to maintenance during the summer months, and wonder how much impact recently built large student developments will have in general on local drainage systems this winter when undergraduates return to their studies.
The problems caused by the floods have raised concerns that forthcoming changes to local government, when services will move from Lancaster to Preston under the new unitary council, may exacerbate problems in future, leaving residents distanced from critical support services in any crisis, or even day to day maintenance of our area.