Sandy Lane road closures and flooding trigger Cottam complaints

Sandy Lane road condition issues — ‘The state of the road is almost becoming undriveable’

Cottam residents have expressed anger and frustration about the road condition in Sandy Lane, and the flooding to the Cottam Post Office which occurred in November 2021.

A reader contacted Blog Preston to voice his concerns on the constant road closures in the past 12 months and lack of action from the council.

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“The road is now so bad it would be better to gravel over the top of it for safety. The Progress Homes estate on Sandy Lane have laid new pavement here in the past few months but due to heavy machinery chipped or crack every curb there.”

Due to new homes being built up in the area, housing developers such as the Taylor Wimpey Estate have had to shut the road several times.

Lancashire County Council is working with developers to resolve the ongoing issue.

A spokesperson for Lancashire County Council said: “There are a number of new housing developments currently under construction along Sandy Lane where the developers have needed to close the road at times over recent months to connect their developments to utilities such as water, gas and electricity, before reinstating the road surface.

“We are currently in discussion with one of the developers to resolve ongoing issues in connection with this work, and are also working with another developer to coordinate some improvements to pedestrian access which are due to be carried out at the junction of Sandy Lane and Hoyles Lane as part of the planning agreement for the development.

‘We will work with the developers to ensure that signs are put up to inform residents of the dates of any closures which are needed in advance so that people can plan their journeys.

“We are aware that parts of Sandy Lane are currently in poor condition and will consider this alongside other priorities for inclusion within our annual highways maintenance programme in the future. In the meantime we will carry out any repairs which are needed to keep the road in a safe condition.”

The reader went on to explain the issue of flooding that remains in the area focusing on the Cottam Post Office, which had to be relocated to the community centre last year due to a ‘devastating’ flood.

The reader believes the issue lies within resident housing companies and the lack of accountability and responsibility from the council.

He said: “This is alongside the flooding that residents believe has been caused by the building to the local post office which means it has been relocated to the community centre. Nobody from any estate or the council is taking blame even though the shops history has never experienced flooding to the extent that has been caused now.

“It really feels as a resident housing companies can do what they want and get away with it. This is before any issue of the lack of school and constant changed plans even though there is over £10million in a pot set aside for at least one new primary and secondary school according to Woodplumpton Parish Council.”

A Preston City Council spokesperson said: “The flooding incidents which took place are under investigation and the City Council continues to liaise with Lancashire County Council as the Lead Local Flood Authority on this matter.

“In terms of the development works in close proximity to Cottam Post Office, these are being carried out in accordance with the planning permissions and there have not been any further flooding incidents.”