It never rains but it pours at Newhey station

Reporter: Jan Harwood
Date online: 11/04/2008

Every time there is heavy rain in Newhey the train station platform tends to flood and this week has been no exception.

Now one resident has declared that it is only a matter of time before someone gets hurt trying to leap over the flood water.

Raymond Whitworth, of Broomfield Terrace, said: “When it rains hard people have to jump over the water. What happens when someone slips and breaks their leg? Perhaps then something might be done about it.

“They probably don’t want to spend any money with the Metrolink imminent but it can’t cost too much to install a new drain at the right level. The problem is the drain is no good and it’s above the level of the water.”

Many people from Newhey have appealed to Northern Rail to try and solve the problem but so far their claims have met with no response.

Whenever there is heavy rain the entrance to the platform floods, forming a puddle two or three inches deep. Passengers have to leap over the water or get a soaking in order to get on their train.

The shelter on the platform was recently re-painted but while it might now be nicer to look at, it is completely inaccessible because of the flooding.

Ward Councillor Keith Swift used the station last night, Thursday 10 April, and he had to make the ‘leap of faith’ over the large puddle. He said: “After numerous requests to sort the drainage out the shelter is still inaccessible. If there is any rain the platform floods.

“We’ve made civil requests to sort it out and we’ve tried to shame them into doing something but we’re just getting increasingly exasperated by the situation.”

When contacted by Rochdale Online, Northern Rail said that someone would be looking into the issue.