Concerns over "ignored" blocked gullies being “an accident waiting to happen"

Concerns have been raised over dangerous flooding caused by blocked road gullies in Glossop which have been reported numerous times.

The issue was reported to Derbyshire County Council several times in early December by Conservative councillors Jean Wharmby and Adie Hopkinson, after water was seen building up at the top of Sheffield Road close to the entrance to Shirebrook Drive.

Residents have also raised concerns about the risk of ice forming on the road during cold spells, increasing the danger for drivers and pedestrians.

Derbyshire County Councillor for Glossop North, Jean Wharmby, said the situation posed a serious risk to road users and pedestrians, particularly during colder weather.

“I have reported the blocked gullies at the top of Sheffield Road and Hurst Lane in Glossop,” she said. “The build-up of water at the top entrance to Shirebrook Drive is extremely dangerous and is an accident waiting to happen, especially with freezing temperatures.

“I have contacted the emergency services and requested that the Highway Officer attends the site to assess the risk. I am aware that Cllr Hopkinson has also reported this issue, as have many local residents. This problem needs to be dealt with urgently before someone is injured.”

Nearly a month after the issue was reported a Derbyshire County Councillor Highways Inspector visited the site to assess the situation.

The Glossop Chronicle asked Derbyshire County Council for an update on the situation. On Monday 12 January their Cabinet Member for Potholes, Highways and Transport, Councillor Charlotte Hill, said:

“We’ve had many requests in to unblock drains over the past few weeks, and have put in place additional resource to unblock as many as we can as quickly as possible.

“We’ll be dealing with these ones reported in Glossop by the end of this week, at the latest.”

Councillor Hopkinson, who pursued his initial report even while on a family holiday, noted that one of the challenges appears to be the absence of a dedicated Highways Officer in the High Peak, with the nearest officer based a considerable distance away.