The flooded section of Chasetown High Street

A notorious Burntwood flooding hotspot could be fixed – but not until next month.

A section of Chasetown High Street has regularly been under water, leading to complaints from residents and local businesses.

But South Staffs Water has now confirmed work to solve the problem will take place on April 3.

The flooded section of Chasetown High Street
The flooded section of Chasetown High Street

Steve Norman, Labour candidate for the Burntwood South ward in the forthcoming Staffordshire County Council elections, said the site had become “infamous” in recent years.

“While it is still a ridiculous long time to wait for such an important part of Burntwood’s shopping area – some say two years – at least we can see an end to the torment,” he said.

Four damaged drainage connection pipes are believed to be responsible for the flooding.

Steve Norman
Steve Norman

Mr Norman said: “Staffordshire County Council say they believe that it was caused by utility works carried out in the vicinity of the drains and that they intend to pursue reimbursement from the appropriate company should this prove to be the case.

“If I am in a position to investigate what happenned after elections on May 4 I will do so. We cannot have this problem again in one of our main shopping areas.

“I dread to think how many potential customers have been put off shopping in Chasetown because of the floods.”

Founder of Lichfield Live and editor of the site.

15 Comments
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Rob
6 years ago

Floods?
Like Carlisle in 2015?

John Hayward
6 years ago

You’ve got some nerve Steve Norman,You are going to investigate what? It’s already on going and this post is just your propaganda to get votes you don’t deserve on this issue. We go back along way Steve but you are out of order,.

Alex J
6 years ago

Fake News

Floods? It’s only a burst pipe for gods sake.

John Hayward
6 years ago

Alex J no it is not do your research before you make stupid comments

Alex J
6 years ago

John appreciate that’s it’s a little more than a burst pipe, but this guy is making out it’s some major flood making the area inaccessible.
It’s a right load of rubbish, therefore it’s fake news.
Agree with you though it’s all about trying to win a few votes.

Steven Nornan
6 years ago

This long delay cannot happen again. If voters want some action next time I hope they will give me a chance on May 4th. They will always be able to come to a surgery to speak to me if elected to ensure I was working on it because like all Labour councillors in Burntwood, and only Labour councillors, I will hold surgeries every month.

What needs investigating is the cause of the inaction over such a long time by Staffordshire County Council so lessons can be learnt.

A lot of residents had contacted the Council over a long period and were frustrated about the lack of action. I was asked to help by a number of them – hence my pressure on SCC with my Freedom of Information requests and publicity. I believe this helped – as lobbying any organisation or company with the support of the press (and the 21st Century equivalent: social media including blogs like Lichfield Live) does.
Maybe the impending election and possibly a new County Councillor for Chasetown may have had some influence too?

Davyogg
6 years ago

It’s a big puddle, not a flood and yes the problem should be sorted.

KEITH DIXON
6 years ago

Blocked drain? If this was in Lichfield centre it would have been sorted in a few days

Mike
6 years ago

Although it is obviously a collapsed drain, it is a flood to the people who live in the retirement flats next to it, especially when they are truing to get to the shops etc. and the pavement is awash. Thanks for pursuing this Steve, my Mom will be glad when it is fixed.

Backwards Burntwood
6 years ago

Meh, I’ve come to like it.

Gives the kids something to do. Helps the lost ducks from Chasewater have a rest, and if I go quick enough it gives me a pre-car wash.

Tho, if I knew Burntwood had activated its Flood Level 5 protocol I would have soon been out there in my hi vis, with warm towels and a box of food & water for those hit by this devastating flood. Heck, with the amount of damaged caused the PM might have toured the flooded area before hopping back on the #60.

And to see a full MI5 investigation being proposed, we might even find the real cause behind the flooring. Though I am unsure if ISIS would dare target the strategic land of lower Burntwood.

Rob
6 years ago

Some people are doing their damnedest to make lots of noise about Chasetown High Street. Definitely an election in the offing, lets hope people aren’t too gullible.

Steve Norman
6 years ago

Agreed Rob if they vote Conservative they will get the same level of service form the County Highways as they do now and if they vote UKIP they may get the same lack of action as currently. Oh you didn’t know there was somebody representing Chasetown at the County? It’s supposed to be represented by Staffordshire’s only UKIP county councillor. If it was me I would have had the Chief Executive down to see for himself.

Of course I am following this up, with John Hayward, South Staffs Water told me yesterday that they need SCC to repair the drains before they fix the leak. If you don’t elections pray tell me your alternative.

Rob
6 years ago

Yeah, I bet the Chief Executive has absolutely no idea what a patch of submerged asphalt looks like. Would have made a cracking photo opportunity though.

Robert Birch
6 years ago

Yet another promised date has come and gone. Clearly the Conservative County Council and the UKIP Councillor for the area have been very proactive in getting this problem resolved over the last few years… Not. Time to vote for someone who will do something about it I think.

Steve Norman
6 years ago

High Street, Chasetown is open for business!

South Staffs water carried out a temporary repair (they told me) on Thursday and the County Council contractors turned up, at last, to carry out some work on the drains this morning Of course we don’t know if this is temporary or not. One shopkeeper who has suffered this problem for some months pointed out other problems to me that are starting to appear on the road.

They have also done some cutting higher up the High Street ready for a new road surface and again we will have to see if this will last or if we have to call them back again in a year’s time.

It is a shame I had to contact the Chief Executive of the County Council to get the farce ended but thanks to all those members of the public who came to the Labour Councillors’ surgeries last Saturday with this idea – and their anger.

I may be able to demand a full report on the whole debacle after May the 4th.