FLOODING FEARS FOLLOWING CLOSURE PLANS
Warning of a flooding catastrophe has been made by UKIP parliamentary candidate David Gallagher.
He fears that this will result from the proposed ‘switching off’ of the Crossens pumping station, due to take place this spring.
“There have been many meetings over the years with government agencies on the drainage situation in the area and in 2012, following public consultation, the Environment Agency report confirmed the Altmouth and Crossens pumping stations would continue for the ‘foreseeable future’.
“We now seem to have reached the end of that future and are back facing the original proposal to switch off the Crossens station to save £3m.
“We all now that austerity cuts are being made all over the country but this would be a false saving which risks homes, businesses and potentially lives,” said Mr Gallagher, UKIP’s South Ribble parliamentary candidate.
“Switching off the pumping station would lead to an environmental flooding disaster on a par with the Somerset flooding experienced only last year. We need to work with the NFU, Environment Agency, Local Government, CPRE, United Utilities to stop the pumping station at Crossens being switched off.
“At a time when the Yew Tree Farm Masterplan for additional housing has been passed by West Lancashire Borough Council, an environmental disaster lies in waiting. It is not just farms that could be flooded but residential housing, in Crossens, Rufford, Holmeswood, Banks Marsh, Halsall and Burscough.
“I have spoken to farmers in Halsall who are very concerned about flooding and parish councillors are also alarmed at the potential risks. I am a member of Aughton Park parish council and have recently attending a meeting in Skelmersdale with other parish councillors, borough and county councillors to discuss the subject.
“This switch off cannot be allowed to take place and I am committed to doing everything I can to prevent this happening,” said Mr Gallagher.
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