By John Baron
A drainage failure which leaves Tong Road flooded and Farnley Falcons’ pitches unusable was discussed by city councillors last night.
As previously reported by WLD, residents on Tong Road have raised ongoing safety concerns.
They say persistent surface water runoff from Butt Lane Playing Fields has repeatedly flooded the road and pavement – leaving dangerous ice in winter and ongoing damage to the road.
The issue is also impacting pitches used by Farnley Falcons Rugby Club, one of West Leeds’ largest grassroots sports clubs.
During prolonged rainfall, water flows unchecked from the playing fields onto Tong Road, crossing the footway and entering the carriageway.
Farnley resident Peter Allison addressed councillors at the Outer West Community Committee at Oak Church in Stanningley last night.
He said a CCTV drainage survey commissioned by Farnley Falcons identified a suspected collapsed culvert beyond the boundary of the playing fields.
He said despite the issue being known for several years and raised with Leeds City Council, it remains unresolved.
Farnley & Wortley Councillors Kate Haigh and Adrian McCluskey said Mr Allison had not raised the issues with them or provided them with the details he had outlined at the meeting. They asked Mr Allison to email them with all the details.
“We are happy to look into it,” said Cllr Haigh.
Mr Allison said councillors had been invited to a meeting on the issue, which they did not attend. Cllr Haigh said they were not able to attend every meeting they were invited to.
Leeds City Council has said it remains committed to finding the source of the issue and have been working collaboratively across various services and the rugby club to try and find a way to resolve the issues as soon as possible.Â
David Blackburn tribute
The Outer West Community Committee meeting started with a tribute to Farnley & Wortley Green Party councillor David Blackburn, who last week announced his retirement after spending all but five months of the last 28 years as a councillor.
Chair Cllr Tom Hinchcliffe (Lab, Bramley & Stanningley) said the meeting was Cllr Blackburn’s final Outer West Community Committee and he thanked him for his work over the years.
Councillors from the Conservatives, Labour and Reform parties gave Cllr Blackburn a round of applause.
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