Last month I posted an update on concerns I'd raised on behalf of residents about the design and layout of the roundabout on the B1281 in Blackhall Colliery. You can find background details in this link: https://robcrute-blackhall.blogspot.com/2023/11/highways-inspectors-update-on-concerns.html
Towards the end of that article I mentioned that I'd also raised concerns with the authorities about excess water flowing from the fields onto the B1281 at the same location. I've now received a response from the service setting out measures the council and developer will take to resolve the problem:
I refer to your recent service request regarding surface water issues in the vicinity of the new roundabout.
We are aware of the issues and Gleeson have reported this issue themselves, due to the impact on their development.
We accept there are a few minor issues, e.g. blocked gullies, surface irregularities, because of their works, that are contributing to matters and they have been asked to address these as a matter of priority.
However, the cause of the matter is the severe rainfall events we have recently experienced coming off already saturated fields where, due to the sheer volume of runoff, the water is cascading down the hard-paved field access, out onto the carriageway and bypassing the first gully immediately adjacent, which is no fault of the developer.
The water then returns to the southern channel where, as noted above, other matters contribute to the accumulation of water around the entrance to the development.
I have viewed videos made by Gleeson, unfortunately too large to include as attachments, which do reflect the above.
The underlying issue has been reported to our Drainage & Coastal Protection Team who will investigate this, together with many similar recent issues across the county unrelated to new development.
I hope both this investigation, and formulation of a solution, together with remediation measures by the developer on the roundabout itself, will prevent, or at least mitigate against, future events.
