Cracoe man's desperate bid to stop home flooding (From Craven Herald)

Cracoe man's desperate bid to stop home flooding

8:00am Friday 28th September 2012 in News

Despite having two knee operations, Cracoe pensioner Brian Connolly was forced to don his wellies this week in a desperate bid to stop his home from flooding.

And the 73-year-old says, for the past 14 years, he has been calling for drains on Back Lane to be included in the county council’s cleaning programme - but, so far, his pleas have fallen on deaf ears.

So, as heavy rain hit the area earlier this week, Mr Connolly was back out, clearing debris from the drains in an effort to divert the water from his home, Toppan Barn, whose entrance is opposite Back Lane.

“It is so frustrating no-one seems to care,” he said. “All I want is for planned maintenance to be carried out to keep the drains free. If the drains don’t work properly, the water runs down the lane and into the main road and my house below it.

“That’s what started to happen this week, so despite the fact I have had my knee replaced for a second time, I put on my wellies and went out to clear the drains. I got soaking wet.”

He launched his campaign 14 years ago after Toppan Barn was submerged under three feet of water, which had run off the fell.

“A lot of steps have been taken since then, but the drains are still not cleaned out regularly,” said Mr Connolly. “Some time ago, I got the highway authority to come out and walk around with me. They said they would put the lane on the planned maintenance list - but it hasn’t happened.”

Ken Martin, from North Yorkshire Highways, told the Herald he would investigate the problem and was willing to speak to Mr Connolly.

A meeting has been arranged.