EFFORTS to prevent flooding in Bentham were discussed by the Craven Flooding Panel.

Craven district councillors, who make up the panel, agreed to hold a site visit before their next meeting in Bentham Town Hall on September 24 to discuss the issues further.

Various places in Bentham are affected by flooding, and Craven's environmental health manager, Lindsey Quinn, found further investigations were needed.

Wenning Avenue is particularly badly hit and a collapsed culvert has been found in the area by Pendle Council, the agent for United Utilities. Work on sewers is outstanding in the area and the road needs adapting as it currently has no kerbs or gullies.

The panel heard that problems on Station Road were caused by Lairgill Beck, which needs cleaning, and more investigations are needed to find the cause of difficulties at the Auction Mart.

Drainage and culvert improvements also need to be considered by Craven District Council to solve flooding behind Bentham Industrial Estate, and the council is to consult further over the sports field near Wenning Avenue. Solutions suggested for the sports field include redirecting a drain under Mill Yard to Mill Race and putting a bund around the field.

A half-blocked drain is the culprit for flooding in Main Street, near Hash Browns.

"This needs further investigation," said Lindsey.

Camera work had been ordered by Pendle Council to investigate manhole covers lifting in Goodenber Road and the possibility of too much surface water getting into Lairgill Beck from a new development at Butts Lane needed looking at, she added.

Gullies also needed cleaning in Pye Busk Close, Springfield Crescent and Robin Lane.

"A lot of works are now in hand with the highways authority doing gully cleaning.

"There are some major issues coming out of our investigation work and there is a lot of work to do," Lindsey told the Herald.