Builders told to clean up their act as Longridge residents complain of muddy “quagmire” on surrounding roads

Builders have been told to clean up their act after residents in Longridge complained about a muddy “quagmire” on the roads around three housing developments.
Builders told to clean up their act as Longridge residents complain of muddy quagmire on surrounding roadsBuilders told to clean up their act as Longridge residents complain of muddy quagmire on surrounding roads
Builders told to clean up their act as Longridge residents complain of muddy quagmire on surrounding roads

City coun Ron Woollam visited one site in Halfpenny Lane to raise the issue with the house builders.

House building is underway in Halfpenny Lane, Inglewhite Road and in Whittingham Road for a total of 355 homes.

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Residents say both MCI Development and Anwyl Homes are at fault, dragging mud onto the roads around the sites.

Builders told to clean up their act as Longridge residents complain of muddy quagmire on surrounding roadsBuilders told to clean up their act as Longridge residents complain of muddy quagmire on surrounding roads
Builders told to clean up their act as Longridge residents complain of muddy quagmire on surrounding roads

After visiting one site manager, coun Woollam said: “He is aware of the problem and said that they were doing everything that they could to eliminate the mud on the road. I reminded him of the conditions regarding planning and he will ensure that the mud is kept to a minimum.”

Since his visit however Julie Buttle, clerk to Whittingham Parish Council, said there have only been “some improvements”.

She continued: “At the Parish Council meeting on Monday, it was resolved that I should contact Lancashire County Council to request additional monitoring of the area due to the three sites and roadworks all being developed at the same time. Because of the roadworks and construction vehicles the problem has intensified.”

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Coun Woollam added: "The matter has now been reported to Preston Planning Department and an enforcement officer from the council will be taking the matter up with the developers."

Builders told to clean up their act as Longridge residents complain of muddy quagmire on surrounding roadsBuilders told to clean up their act as Longridge residents complain of muddy quagmire on surrounding roads
Builders told to clean up their act as Longridge residents complain of muddy quagmire on surrounding roads

Complaining of the mess one resident, who did not want to be named, said: “We can’t stop them building in Longridge but the state of the roads and pavements because of the buildings - they are in a terrible condition.

“They are all members of this responsible building club. You can’t walk on the pavements, there are no pavements left.

“They are running their trucks all over it. The local residents are all up in arms about it.

“It’s becoming a quagmire.”

Builders told to clean up their act as Longridge residents complain of muddy quagmire on surrounding roadsBuilders told to clean up their act as Longridge residents complain of muddy quagmire on surrounding roads
Builders told to clean up their act as Longridge residents complain of muddy quagmire on surrounding roads
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Both developers have apologised and said they are tackling the issue.

A spokesperson from MCI Developments said: “At MCI Developments we make every effort to ensure that our building sites have as little impact on their neighbours as possible, however in the winter months with severe spells of adverse weather, there will be an unavoidable increase in mud.

"Currently at our Halfpenny Lane site we have implemented a daily road sweeper to try and prevent unnecessary mud.

"We apologise for any disturbance caused by this and thank local residents for their patience, as we continue to build much-needed new homes.”

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Meanwhile John Grime, managing director of Anwyl Homes Lancashire, said: “As one of a number of developers active in the area we are certainly mindful of our impact on the surroundings and have a number of measures in place to alleviate issues on our own site including a controlled entrance procedure.

"Unfortunately the extreme weather over the last few days has proved challenging.

"We responded quickly after the issues were reported to us and we are sorry for any inconvenience caused to the residents.

"We regularly remind sub-contractors working on our sites of the role they play and will take further steps to liaise with other developers to see how we can help collectively.

"We take a thoughtful approach to all our projects and do our best to minimise the impact for our neighbours.”

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