Family's 13-year nightmare over hole in road
What started with a hole on the pavement has become a 13-year nightmare.
Maxine Waldram and her husband have endured a saga that has been going on since 2003.
Problems for the couple, who live on the busy A6 Bolton Road, Adlington, first started when a hole appeared on the footpath outside their home.
Since then there has been a catalogue of work on the footpath and road which they claim has resulted in serious damage to their property, with large cracks appearing to stone and brickwork.
“Stone steps are coming away just over an inch from the house,” said Mrs Waldram. “I’m starting to smell damp in my front room now.”
She said when the hole appeared, Lancashire County Council backfilled it. Six months later she said there were gas leaks and other bursts. She claims pipes were damaged. Mrs Waldram added that the pavement has been dropping outside her house. She said diverted traffic rumbling past while work was being carried out was contributing to the damage. In June, she said, when power cables were being laid for a new nearby housing development, a large void was discovered.
Mrs Waldram has been in touch with her house insurers regarding the damage.
Ridwan Musa, highways manager of Lancashire County Council, said: “Various organisations have carried out work at this location over the years. Some of this was not carried out by the county council, for example utility work. We are currently investigating the cause of these problems and for this reason it is inappropriate for us to comment further at this time.”