Darwen car parks have reopened after floods

The majority of Darwen town centre car parks have now been re-opened following the recent floods.

Knott Street and Atlas Street are the only ones to remain closed because further investigation needs to be carried out into the culvert.

Councillor Dave Harling, Executive Member for Regeneration, said: “We have worked hard to get the town centre back to normal as soon as possible following the floods.

“We tried to keep as many open as possible. We carried out urgent inspections to check they were safe so they could be reopened. We hope the extension to free parking also helps traders and shoppers in the town.”

Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council has also temporarily agreed to extend on-street parking and parking on the market roof top from one hour to three hours.

Restriction around disabled parking and those on yellow lines still apply.

Council advice as more flooding alerts are announced across Lancashire

Blackburn with Darwen Council is taking action to mitigate against any further floods later this week.

The Environment Agency has issued an Amber Alert from Thursday evening through to Saturday and is warning about the risk of localised flooding because of surface water and high river levels.

The Leader of the Council Kate Hollern says the Council is doing all it can to prepare and mitigate against any possible flooding later this week.

“Whilst we cannot prevent flooding, we are doing all we can to help residents and businesses in case of heavy rain again. We are giving out hundreds of sandbags to those in the worst affected areas and are carrying out inspections across the borough so that gullies, drains and man holes are clear. The ground is still saturated following the recent heavy rain so it is important we make sure that we are preparing as much as we can.”

The Environment Agency has issued an Amber Alert from Thursday evening through to Saturday and is warning about the risk of localised flooding because of surface water, high river levels and water running off the Moors.

The Council has:

• We distributed more 1,800 sandbags to known flood risk areas during the recent heavy rain
• We are again issuing sandbags to those areas which have been effected by the recent flooding including A666 Bolton Road in Darwen, Duckworth Street, Bowling Green Close, Junction Street and Grimshaw Street.
• We are currently inspecting and cleaning where necessary all gullies, drains and man holes across the borough
• We know the sources of much of the recent flooding and have been checking culverts are free from debris

The Council is also asking motorists to drive carefully on water logged roads. Further flooding was caused during the recent heavy rain by cars driving too fast and causing the water to rise over sand bags.

The Council will keep residents updated using its website and our BWD Winter facebook page. The footpath around the lake at Ashton Park has already been closed because of a potentially dangerous wall.

If residents are concerned flooding, they are being advised to move valuables, food and electrical to higher levels.

The Council is working with the Environment Agency who has a statutory duty to warn and prepare people for flooding. Please sign up the Environment Agency’s Flooding hotline if you are concerned – 0845 988 1188 or Typetalk 0845 602 6340.  

If you think your property is at serious risk of flooding, please call the Council’s hotline on (01254) 585921.

Advice to residents:

Check your insurance cover

• Check your buildings and contents insurance policy. Confirm you are covered for flooding. Find out if the policy replaces new for old, and if it has a limit on repairs.

Know how to turn off your gas, electricity and water mains supplies

• Ask your supplier how to do this. Mark taps or switches with stickers to help you remember.

Prepare a flood kit of essential items

• Copies of your home insurance documents. A torch with spare batteries.
• A wind-up or battery radio. Warm, waterproof clothing and blankets.
• Warm, waterproof clothing and blankets. A first aid kit and prescription medication. Bottled water and non-perishable foods.
• Baby food and baby care items. Keep your flood kit handy.

Start preparing today before a flood happens

Know who to contact and how

• Agree where you will go and how to contact each other. Keep a list with all your important contacts to hand.

Think about what you can move now

• Don't wait for a flood. Move items of personal value such as photo albums, family videos and treasured mementos to a safe place.

Think about what you would want to move to safety during a flood

• Outdoor pets; cars; furniture; electrical equipment.