Council still not getting the basics right!

A local Crompton business owner, Debbie Morris, has been “stonewalled” by Oldham Council over a lack of action to repair an issue with the kerb and drainage, spanning a period of four years. 

Since 2021, Mrs Morris has been trying to get drainage repairs and an issue with the kerb sorted outside her Nikki Leigh Studio business on Duchess Street Parade in Crompton.

Mrs Morris said: “The pooling water is ruining my business and the business next to me and people who live above us are also affected. Some of the clients who come to see us are elderly and are really scared when it's flooded or really icy. The pooling of water sometimes washes inside the shop and that has ruined my flooring, and the council are totally at fault for ignoring me and for making the road worse!”

Exasperated by the lack of official response from Oldham Council, she reached out to her local Liberal Democrat councillor Louie Hamblett.

Councillor Hamblett said: “It’s absolutely appalling that the Council has't managed even the most basic levels of communication. Sadly, too many residents experience this when they try to request basic support from council services. This case is all the more frustrating because it seems that pothole repairs carried out by the Council have actually made the situation worse. Since then, it feels like the Council is doing everything it can to avoid taking responsibility for this issue.”

In response to Mrs Morris and Councillor Hamblett’s requests for a member of staff to visit the site, a flooding officer visited the business and acknowledged that numerous pothole repairs on Duchess Street Parade have now raised the road to the same level as the pavement. The flooding officer suggested a way to fix the issue, yet highways have now stated that that there is no money to fix it at this time.

Councillor Hamblett said: “The emails also stated that there is no flooding in the area. I beg to differ, given the photos Mrs Morris and other residents have sent me. Since then I have discovered that any further emails have been deleted without being read!”

“This is hardly the attitude of a Council that claims to listens to local residents and treats people with respect.”