Latest news from our hardworking MP

ROSIE COOPER MP SECURES NETWORK RAIL FUNDING FOR CRABTREE LANE DRAINAGE INVESTIGATION WORK

Immediate release: Thursday 17 September

West Lancashire MP Rosie Cooper has secured Network Rail’s commitment to fund and carry out drainage investigation work on its rail line at Crabtree Lane, Burscough where many residents have suffered recent flooding.

Following the August storms many residents suffered flooding at their properties on Crabtree Lane and contacted Rosie Cooper MP for her support in getting action from the responsible agencies.

Despite not finding any drainage related issues during their initial inspections, and in the light of her representations and the recent incidents of further flooding, Network Rail have indicated that they will fund an investigation into better understanding how water flows through their land, which could also help unearth unknown culverts and pipes, and they will include partners to try and identify what is causing the problem.

The MP said: “I am very grateful to Network Rail for taking this step to help residents and agencies understand and resolve the flooding problems at Crabtree Lane.

“It has taken on board my comments and constituents’ distress and responded with this commitment to investigating how water runs under the rail line.

“This is a great example of partnership working and will provide the funding to better understand how water flows through the area, including Network Rail land and could help unearth unknown culverts and pipes.

“Network Rail told me they will now be working with Lancashire County Council drainage officers on the study. I look forward to receiving their findings and hearing about the action they will be taking to improve drainage in the area.

“A partnership between Network Rail, Lancashire County Council – the local lead flood authority in this area – with the support of the Environment Agency, especially if these agencies pool resources on flood management schemes, will mean that everybody benefits, most importantly residents who pay the bills and suffer the awful experience of their properties being flooded.

“I hope this work will move quickly and identify the problem which will be a major step on the way to resolving the flooding issues in this area.”