New drainage plan for road dubbed 'Chemical Lake'

Local authority bosses say they are finalising plans for drainage improvements to resolve problems on a road dubbed "Chemical Lake" by some.

The scheme, at Chemical Lane inn Longbridge Hayes, Staffordshire, will include a new system to take surface water from the road to an existing drain.

The area, near to a double bend, is prone to flooding but had been a complex issue to tackle, bosses said.

Work was expected to begin in May 2026, the authority added, and would take about three months to complete.

Business owner Carl Belford has previously told the BBC the regular flooding was making it almost impossible for his company to operate.

"It's going to cause damage to my vehicles and customers can't get to me because their vehicles are too small," he said.

"It's encouraging that we have a scheme in the final stages of design which should resolve it," said Andrew Mynors, Staffordshire County Council cabinet member for connectivity.

"The design that the engineers have come up with involves a new drainage system that will help take any excess water from the road down to an outflow about 220 meters away.

"It's been a challenging issue but our engineers continue to work with their colleagues at Network Rail and Severn Trent Water."

Once the scheme was complete, there were also plans to increase maintenance to ensure the new system adequately drains surface water, he said.

Temporary pumping equipment to remove excess water from the road would remain in place until the project was completed.

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