A COUNCILLOR hopes to end winter flooding misery that has plagued a Keighley neighbourhood for years.

Adrian Farley wants to stop rainwater from cascading into houses and gardens in Braithwaite Edge Road and Braithwaite Road.

He plans to work with organisations such as Bradford Council and the Environment Agency to investigate long-term solutions.

Residents fear the onset of heavy rain and snow will, as in previous years, bring torrents of water through their properties.

They expressed renewed concerns after last week’s sleet and rain was followed on Friday by a short period of flooding.

Houses affected lie in Black Hill between the Braithwaite estate and Keighley Tarn, directly below a former landfill site, which is currently the subject of controversy regarding possible plans by the current owners to turn it into a cemetery.

Some of the Braithwaite Edge Lane householders say flooding problems began between six and nine years ago after the landfill site was closed. They suspect long-established watercourses, which for many years had diverted rainwater safely away from the houses, might have been blocked or filled in.

Cllr Farley visited concerned residents on Saturday.

He said: “Residents were concerned the water would bring their walls down as the run-off was somewhat forceful.

“This does not normally occur until later in the season, usually January after snow. At the moment I’m trying to work with residents to get a resolution. I’m trying to make enquiries with the Environment Agency. I’ll get in touch with officers at the council.”

About 16 residents meet regularly to discuss possible solutions to the problem. One Braithwaite Edge Road resident, who did not want be named, said water had “gushed like a river” for several years.He added: “My garden is being devastated with both surface water and ground water. I’ve had some water coming into the house through the air grates.

Bradford Council said it was aware of long-standing flooding problems in the area, but had not received any recent complaints. An Environment Agency spokesman said it was not involved with the former landfill site.