CROSS-border action has been taken following the flooding due to heavy rain of a stretch of road between Thornton-in-Craven and Barnoldswick.

Part of Skipton Road, at the junction to West Marton, flooded following heavy rain last week, prompting Barnoldswick councillor, David Whipp, a member of Lancashire County Council, to call on North Yorkshire County Council - which is responsible for the road, to take urgent action.

Cllr Whipp, who described the flooded road as ‘potentially lethal’, said there was clearly a reason why the water had not drained away after several days.

“The road is flooded on a bend and just over a crest in the road, it’s very hard for drivers to see and anticipate the very deep flood,” he said.

“It’s been flooded for almost a week and there’s clearly something gone wrong with the highway drainage as it doesn’t normally flood like this there. “Several people have ploughed into it and at least one vehicle has ended up stranded. Traffic in both directions has to use the bell mouth at the junction of the West Marton road to avoid the flooding. It’s very hairy with traffic approaching at speed from both directions.”

Cllr Whipp, and fellow councillor, Tom Whipp, waded into the water to see if the flood was a simple case of road gullies being blocked with leaves.

He said: “We didn’t make any impression on the depth of the water, which was above my knees and over the top of Tom’s wellies. In the dark, the flooding was almost impossible to see with the bends and a crest in the road. It’s potentially lethal.

“I’ve contacted North Yorkshire police about the flooding and my counterpart on North Yorkshire County council. There needs to be immediate action to deal with the cause of the flooding before someone is injured. More traffic cones and warning lights have been put out over the weekend, but drivers need far more warning of the danger while the water is there.”

North Yorkshire County Council Highways Area Manager James Malcolm said the council was aware of the flooding.

“We have pumped out as much water as possible, and as soon as conditions allow, we will begin investigative work to attempt to clear the blockage.

“In the meantime, advance warning signs are in place and we urge drivers to heed these and drive to the conditions.”