Park under water as river bursts
A PARK was left submerged in water after the River Irwell burst its banks.
Video footage showed waterlogged fields at
Nuttall Park, Ramsbottom, after the river spilled over on January 20.
Heavy rainfall also left the park’s children’s play area and bowling green under water.
The River Irwell runs alongside the park.
Ramsbottom MP James Daly visited the park last Wednesday.
He said: “The flooding at the moment is bad, but it’s not as bad as it has been in previous years.
“We need to make sure that everything is in place to protect people and to protect property.
“The council and the Environment Agency are well aware of what is going on here and they are doing a fantastic job and doing their very best to get on top of these issues.
“We’ve got issues in Ramsbottom, down at Redvales, around Gigg Lane, and Scobell Street, where I’ve just been to in Tottington.”
Mr Daly also called for ‘a proper flooding plan for Ramsbottom’ and said he had held several meetings with the Environment Agency regarding the matter. He said: “I’m going to continue pushing them on that because they’ve not been forthcoming with that plan, with the money, to make sure that the whole of Ramsbottom is protected.
“These incidents are happening more and more regularly now.
“I will be taking that forward, making sure that we have a plan, working with all the agencies, so that problems can be addressed.
“They need to be addressed and they haven’t for many, many years. Ramsbottom needs money invested now into its flood defences.”
Nuttall Park was also flooded last February when the River Irwell burst its bank following heavy rainfall.”
Several trees were uprooted while fencing surrounding the park’s bowling green was flattened.