Last Friday I asked United Utilities to finally fix the road collapse at Moor Gate, following the flooding on 18th June.

I nipped down yesterday, and although it wasn’t being worked on at that time I was pleased to see some progress. United Utilities have now updated me to advise:

“We can confirm we had a water pipe burst at this location which was dealt with immediately to ensure no disruption to supplies.  However, following the burst and prior to the consequential damage to the road being repaired, a number of checks on other utility infrastructure had to be checked.

I apologise this has taken longer than we would have liked, and we are aiming to have the road completely reinstated and back open by the end of this week (07 July).”

Separately, I was informed that the temporary bus diversion routes were not covering some of the area due to the amount of notice given on the works, and that three bus stops on Ullswater and Dalton Road in the Freehold area were not being serviced as a result.

I have been working with Labour County Councillor Lizzi Collinge, who has been in talks with Stagecoach, and although it’s now quite late on an near the end of the works being done, I’m pleased to also report that these three stops will be put back on the temporary diversion route for Freehold residents.

“…the depot have risk assessed an alternative route which means that we can service the stops in question with out larger vehicles, and I am pleased to say that we are satisfied that we can do so safely. We have therefore brought in this new alternative diversion from first bus this morning and so the three stops in question will now be served.”

I’m hopeful that by Saturday Moor Gate and St Peter’s Road will be reopen once again a few weeks on from the road collapse, and that this comes as welcome news for both residents and commuters.