
Answers are once more being demanded after a pedestrian tunnel in Preston flooded again in the recent wet weather.
The tunnel on Darkinson Lane in Lea was constructed as part of the £206m link road scheme, which has seen a new dual carriageway created connecting Riversway to a new junction two on the M55.
It had been shut since late October when heavy rain flooded the area once again and Lancashire County Council (LCC) had previously confirmed that drainage issues, as well as a faulty pump, meant there was no quick fix to the issues afflicting the tunnel.
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Blog Preston even reported back in April on LCC assurances that the flooding issues were being fixed – a move that was welcomed by welcomed by Ben Ward, city councillor Ingol and Cottam.
However, several Blog Preston readers have been in touch this week with photos showing the tunnel under water once more.
And Cllr Ward is demanding answers.
He said: “It is extremely frustrating to find this popular leisure route closed again. It’s infuriating that LCC and the suppliers haven’t taken advantage of the driest Spring on record to complete the works necessary to ensure the underpass isn’t closed after every rainy day.
“Questions have to be asked over the causes of recent flooding and who should be paying for repairs. Both the impact of new road construction on local drainage and the choice of location for the original pumping equipment and control panel must all be questioned.”
LCC was approached for comment but has yet to respond by time of publication.
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