The campaign for measures to mitigate flooding in the Daisy Nook area of Failsworth by the River Medlock were given fresh hope after a favourable response to a letter from Angela Rayner by the minister responsible.

Following concerns raised by Oldham Council, Failsworth East Councillors and the manager of the popular Daisy Nook Garden Centre, Ashton, Droylsden and Failsworth MP Angela Rayner held an informal meeting with Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) Minister Therese Coffey MP to discuss the funding of flood prevention for the area. The meeting was followed up in writing with Angela providing further details on the severe impact that flooding has on the popular garden centre and on the vital road link that Stannybrook Road provides between Failsworth, Littlemoss and Ashton.

The sticking point had been that funding for such measures was based on a ‘residential first’ approach and given the small number of residential properties in Daisy Nook the criteria was not met.

Angela said, “Daisy Nook is a popular local business which is vital to the local economy. It brings thousands of people who would otherwise go elsewhere in to Failsworth to spend money. I would appreciate some flexibility being shown in the allocation of funds, particularly given how important a road link Stannybrook Road is in connecting the three towns in my constituency.

In Therese Coffey MP’s response details are given of how some funds may be available to the Daisy Nook scheme despite it being outside of the scope of the grant regime. It was acknowledged however that this may still not be sufficient to cover the cost of the necessary works.

Angela continued, “I am grateful for Therese’s response. It is disappointing that the DEFRA funding policy means that works to the Daisy Nook area can’t be fully funded but I will continue to pursue the matter in other places to ensure we get the work done that needs to be done to protect Stannybrook Road and the garden centre.”