Posted by 
A business in Walton-le-Dale is calling for more flood defences and support for businesses after damage caused to their unit.
Specialised Conservatory Systems, located off Victoria Road, found 10-inches of water causing a rebuild to a staff room and two staircases on New Year’s Day.
It came as the Victoria Road and London Road area of Walton-le-Dale was flooded following heavy rain on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, leading to closures on both roads, submerged car parks and flooded businesses.
Read more: Ribchester councillor calls for action in wake of New Year’s Eve floods
The Environment Agency said the flooding was not caused by the nearby River Ribble or River Darwen, which existing flood defences held back, but by surface water flooding likely due to blocked drains.
The team at Specialised found machinery, materials and completed orders damaged in the unit spanning 10,000 square feet.
Denise Thomas, a director of Specialised Conservatory Systems, said: “It’s a hell of a mess to be honest with you.
“Myself and my husband came down, we were opening for work and discovered our workshop flooded.”
The company said they didn’t have enough flood defences to protect against it and are still cleaning up the mess, only in recent days just drying out and leaving dirt behind.
Although office work is continuing, workshop staff are still at home on full pay after being sent home on Thursday 2 January.
Mrs Thomas said: “We’re not making as much money and everywhere is covered in dirt and is still drying out.
“The issue for us is not water from the river, it’s the blocked drains.”
In a statement, South Ribble Borough Council said: “We have swept Victoria Road on seven occasions this year as per our schedule using a mechanical sweeper for roadside leaf clearing and a mini sweeper to clear the footpaths.”
The Preston and South Ribble Flood Risk Management Scheme is soon to move location from its nearly completed Penwortham and Broadgate section to the Walton-le-Dale area in 2025. The work is due to finish in 2027.
Lancashire County Council are working with partners to support those affected by flooding, and to find the cause of the flooding.
Matt Townsend, Highways and Transport director at Lancashire County Council, said: “We take this role extremely seriously.
“Although we do not distribute sandbags, we do engage with local communities to raise awareness about flood risks and provide guidance on preparedness measures.
“We ensure that our highway drainage works as well as it possibly can to remove surface water quickly.”
The county council are keen to hear from those affected. Reports can be made at any time through this link, and returning it to [email protected], or phone0300 123 6780.
More advice for businesses is available here..
In a separate statement, about an expansion of their ‘gully-cleaning programme’, the county council has committed to not just cleaning them on a reactive basis.
County councillor Rupert Swarbrick, cabinet member for highways and transport said: “This new programme will mean that we are investing in a planned cleaning schedule for all of our 294,000 gullies, ensuring that these are all cleared regularly.
“This new policy reflects the lessons learned from reviewing our existing scheme. By amassing data and experience since 2019, we have been able to create a more efficient and cost-effective programme.
“We will still be undertaking reactive gully cleaning where it meets the criteria and urge residents to continue to keep reporting blocked gullies so these can be dealt with quickly and efficiently.”
Subscribe: Keep in touch directly with the latest headlines from Blog Preston, join our WhatsApp channel and subscribe for our twice-a-week email newsletter. Both free and direct to your phone and inbox.
Read more: See the latest Preston news and headlines
Read more: See the latest South Ribble news and headlines
