QLocal's happy to post this UU response to counter claims from Burscough's Gavin Rattray of the Burscough Flooding Group in his report of a meeting organised by MP Rosie Cooper in Aughton last Friday.

In it, he made claims of 'under reporting' of flooding, and a United Utilities spokesman said yesterday: “A question was raised whether all instances of flooding were being captured and reported, linked to our assets.

"The root cause of flooding can be complex and does involve other agencies. When flooding is found to be linked to our assets we have a very robust procedure around capturing and reporting such data, with plenty of evidence to back this up.

"We’ll be sharing this information with our regulator.

“Tackling flooding requires a joined up approach and it was great to see Lancashire County Council, the Environment Agency amongst other agencies attend the meeting to discuss their role and responsibility regarding flooding.

"All agencies will continue to look at opportunities to help minimise flood risk.”

It's a great shame that the United Utilities (UU) doesn't talk meaningfully to its partner the Environment Agency (EA), because Burscough Flooding Group (BFG) has met the EA and they said the main causes of flooding in Burscough are (in order):

1. Building
2. Lack of maintenance [i.e. lack of capacity in the drainage network caused through neglect and 1/3]
3. Global warming.

The EA is going to start doing its bit by clearing the Boathouse Sluice - Burscough's main drain to Martin Mere. When will its partners UU and Lancashire County Council (LCC) do their bit and install additional foul and surface water network pipes in Burscough and increase the capacity of the drainage ditches and culverts?


Finally, will WLBC, our Local Planning Authority, ever acknowledge that new house building in Burscough, Ormskirk and Rufford is the main cause of increasing flooding here?


Gavin Rattray - Secretary Burscough Flooding Group