Weather blamed as park flood work hit

Offpark has been set up by a number of community organisations in Todmorden after it emerged work carried out by the Environment Agency was delaying major events.

Organisers of Todmorden Agricultural Show and the town's annual carnival have already revealed the events would not be held in Centre Vale Park, where the work is being carried out, until 2008.

An Offpark spokesman said: "All the major park users have expressed deep concern on the delays in Centre Vale Park and how the town's annual events would survive when forced to operate outside the park.

"As the scheme drags out there will also be a hidden impact on the town's tourism economy and regeneration initiatives."

The work to create a water storage site in the park as part of the five-year scheme, protecting 800 homes, was due to be completed in time for the 2007 agricultural show.

But contractors, blaming the mild winter making the ground too soft for installation of the drainage system, will not be able to complete the work in time for the new grass surface to be established.

Offpark was formed to give users of the park a platform to raise their concerns.

Members include Todmorden Agricultural Society, the band A Touch Of Brass, Todmorden Carnival Committee and senior and junior football teams.

It will now lobby the Environment Agency and Calderdale Metropolitan Council to avoid further delays.

The Environment Agency' project manager, Eddie Goddard, said he still hoped the park could be in use by 2007.He added the Environment Agency would help groups affected with planning their events.

He said: "We need to ensure the work on the park is done correctly to ensure its long-term viability. If we rush things now it could jeopardise the future use of the park for years to come.

"As soon as weather and ground conditions permit, we will resume installation of the drainage system and then topsoiling and seeding will follow."