THE ongoing saga of properties on Thwaites Road in Oswaldtwistle being flooded time after time and an article published recently in which United Utilities were trying to lay the blame quite incorrectly at the door of Hyndburn Council.

The majority of residential properties which come under the auspices of UU pay £45 a year for UU to take care of surface water and highways drainage.

Obviously the 'poor little water company' will try to cry poverty, but don't forget the fact that this company when it was NW Water, made enough money out of us, the consumer. to enable it to purchase Norweb.

Should you be lucky enough to have a house similar in size to Chaigley Manor, the same amount of £45 would be levied. Back to back terraced house? £45. At least with the council tax people were given a 25 per cent reduction of their bill if they live don their own.

With United Utilities, absolutely no chance. They have taken the money for surface water management charges quite happily, now let us see them giving the services/recompense for the sheer misery and distress which hundreds of Hyndburn residents have been suffering for far too long.

Until they do, who is going to cover the spiralling costs for both the insured, and the uninsured?

HARRY ROBINSON, Juniper Court, Woodside Road, Accrington.