A SENIOR Shropshire councillor says he is confident that flooding along a vital link road outside Oswestry will be addressed.

Burma Road connects Gobowen to Whittington through Park Hall, past residences and also The New Saints’s Venue home, but has been flooded because of the heavy rains that have plagued the UK over winter.

Councillor Steve Charmley, who is the representative at Shropshire Council for Whittington, admitted he is frustrated by the inability to use the road because of the floods.

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But he is hopeful that it will be addressed in the coming weeks.

He said: “I responded to one resident this morning saying that I have lived locally for more than 40 years and remember my detours getting from my home to rugby training in Park Hall pretty much all winter every year.

“Unfortunately the geography of the area means that water pools in that area, draining from fields previously and from the bypass more latterly.

“The woods owned by the Venue/TNS contain complex drainage schemes dug by the army, way back when the area was the former army camp.

“The complex drainage scheme, contains a soakaway into an underground stream that surfaces in Whittington Moat, then flows onwards to the River Perry.

“I have worked with and continue to work with TNS on finding a solution.

“There is currently a plan to clean an area of woodland, of fallen trees and silt to allow excess water to flow through the woodland easier.

“Unfortunately this cannot be done while the wood is waterlogged.

“I have asked for work to be scheduled as soon as it becomes safe enough to do so.

“I am pleased to say that TNS/The venue are also keen to find a solution.”

Cllr Charmley added that the situation could be aided by the potential of warmer and dryer weather on the way.

He added: “Hopefully the rain will give way to sunshine and works can proceed this spring.”

Meanwhile Saints have confirmed that it is also looking to remove the water when it I safe to do so.

Ian Williams, chief operating officer at TNS said that the club is already looking at solving the issues around the flooding.

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He said: “We are working with Whittington Parish Council to resolve the problem.

“Work will start as soon as we are able to have safe access.”

Shropshire Council was approached for comment.