Letter to Councillor Charles - Flooding at Coombes Dale from Kevin Mason

(by Webmaster <info@stoneymiddletonparishcouncil.org.uk> on 7th November 2006)

Dear Councillor Charles

At the public meeting on Thursday 2nd November regarding the closure of Stoney Middleton School I raised the issue of flooding that occurs on the A623. You stated that you were not aware of this and asked that I mail you with more details.

The flooding occurs at the end of Coombs Dale next to the playing field. Over the winter months the amount of water exiting onto the road increases, extending into the middle of the road. This causes westbound traffic to go over the white lines to avoid the large amount of water that collects. Spray is thrown up over the pavement making walking past the flood difficult, and the footpath soon becomes muddy and slippy.

In previous years the flooding has become so bad that the Council has erected temporary traffic lights to control the vehicle flow. This then means that there is a constant flow of traffic past the flood, as the lights cause a backlog at each side that moves when the lights change. Walking past the flood then becomes difficult as there is no gap between the traffic.

This situation has been ongoing for several years and I believe is no nearer resolution. My understanding is that the Council, the Parish Council and local landowners cannot agree over the proposed solutions. I am sure the Parish Council or Highways department would be able to provide you with more information. I believe this flooding issue should be considered in any road assessment made for travel to Calver School from Stoney Middleton

Can I raise another issue regarding road assessment. It was unclear from the meeting whether the road to Eyam school would also be assessed. As there is the option of attending Eyam School, which is also within two miles of Stoney Middleton School, I would expect that the road to Eyam be assessed under the same criteria of suitability and safety. Could you please confirm this. I consider the journey to Eyam to not be viable due to a lack of street lighting between Stoney Middleton and Eyam and the lack of a footpath up Eyam Dale.

I hope that from the meeting on the 2nd you noted the level of opposition to the proposal to close the School and recognised the wide regard the school is held in the community, not just for its educational value but also its central position in village life. Having attended the school and lived in the village all my life I ask that you to reject the proposal

Yours Sincerely

Kevin Mason

The Old Croft, High Street, Stoney Middleton, Hope Valley, S32 4TL

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