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Friday 27 Jan 2017

Repairs to Lancashire flooding hotspot complete

Region & Route:

| North West & Central

Network Rail’s orange army has completed a £1m flood-protection scheme under the West Coast main line at Chorley in Lancashire.

Blocked drains caused a build-up of flood water at Euxton Lane in Chorley over Christmas in 2015. As part of the Railway Upgrade Plan, two 670m drainage pipes under Euxton Lane and School Lane have now been replaced, improving drainage of the railway and protecting a major road from flooding.

Lindsay Hoyle, MP for Chorley, said: “I know how challenging this project has been for Network Rail but I am assured that this will provide a lasting solution to the problems of flooding on Euxton Lane. Hopefully this will mean an end to regular road closures and diversions that have caused a great amount of frustration for residents and motorists alike.”

Ian Rawlinson, scheme project manager at Network Rail said: “This vital drainage work, which forms part of our Railway Upgrade Plan, has been an extremely challenging project from start to finish, as we have been faced with difficult and stubborn blockages that have tested our specialist contractor’s drilling equipment to the very limit.”

“Above all, the new pipes have doubled the capacity of the road drainage, which will help reduce the prospect of major flooding to Euxton Lane in the future.

“We are extremely grateful to Euxton residents, the Church Diocese, Lancashire County Council, the Parish Council , the ward councillors and Lindsay Hoyle MP for all their patience, supporting and understanding of the challenges during this time.”

With the drainage work now complete, Euxton Lane and School Lane fully reopened this week.