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Monday 14 Nov 2016

Lancashire flooding hotspot tackled

Region & Route:

| North West & Central

A broken drain that caused four metres of water to flood a busy road under a railway bridge in Euxton is being permanently repaired thanks to a £700,000 investment by Network Rail.

It took Network Rail’s orange army five days to pump out water last Christmas before a temporary repair was made.

An investigation followed, using underground cameras to determine the cause of the problem, which identified sections of pipe connecting the drain from Euxton Lane, via School Lane and into Chapel Brook, had collapsed and needed to be replaced.

Work is now under way by Network Rail to fix the damaged pipes that will include cleaning out and relining the drains that run between Euxton Lane and Chapel Brook. The work will take 12 weeks and will reduce the possibility of the road flooding again in the future, by increasing the amount of water the drain can handle. 

Lindsay Hoyle, MP for Chorley said:

“I know that the flooding at Euxton Lane over recent years has caused a huge inconvenience to the residents of Euxton and indeed for commuter’s right across the area so I am pleased that Network Rail is finally able to undertake this work.

“I’ve been working with Network Rail to find a lasting solution and I am confident that this project will resolve the problem. I’ve called on Lancashire Police and Lancashire County Council to do whatever they can to reduce the impact on bus services that have been rerouted; and for traffic management around the village particularly at peak times.

“Network Rail is confident that this work will be finished within around 12 weeks and I look forward to the road reopening.”

Ian Rawlinson, scheme project manager from Network Rail said:

“We would like to thank residents and members of Euxton Parish Council for their patience and cooperation while we carry out these vital drainage repairs along Euxton Lane.

“We are working hard to complete this work as quickly as possible, so that the drainage system is ready for the winter and able to cope with prolonged periods of heavy rain.”

Euxton Lane will be closed until 23 December while the repairs are carried out. A vehicle diversion route has been agreed with Lancashire County Council and signs have been put up in the local area to direct traffic.

 ENDS

Notes to editors

• One footpath by Euxton Lane will remain open for pedestrian access, which will be fenced off from the worksite.
• All the work will be carried out during daytime hours between 7am and 7pm.
• A compound and office area will be set up on Euxton Lane and further access to the site will be set up at the northern end of the site at Chapel Brook Wigan Road.