PERSISTENT flooding outside Guiseley Station will be tackled this year, according to Network Rail.

The rail company says it is committed to resolving the problem and is planning to install a new drainage system on the road in the summer.

Temporary work to clear flooding on Station Road was carried out last week but residents say the problem quickly returned.

Posting on Facebook a day after the work was carried out Guiseley’s MP Stuart Andrew said: “My understanding is that the flooding is back again on Station Road in Guiseley so am contacting Network Rail again to update them. Despite the extensive work carried out yesterday it is clear there is a much bigger issue.”

In an update before the work last week the company said: “Network Rail would like to apologise for the recent impact which the significant flooding on Station Road is having for users of Guiseley Station. After each recent spell of bad weather we have been trying to remove water from the area, but that has not been solving the problem and we are clear that the current condition of the road is unacceptable.

“We are committed to delivering a long-term situation and have funding in place for work to take place to improve the road later this year. As the drainage has failed on Station Road this will involve the installation of a new drainage system on the road.

“The work is scheduled for the 2020-21 financial year, and specifically we are currently looking to plan this over the coming summer. As we appreciate how well used the road is, any work will be planned in a way which limits disruption for passengers looking to park on the approach to Guiseley Station.

“In advance of this longer-term solution being put in place we will be planning to clean the road in the next few weeks to address the build-up of debris. In the short-term this should improve the condition of the road for everybody driving on it or walking adjacent to it.

“Please accept our apologies for the impact flooding on Station Road continues to have on both pedestrians and motorists.”

Local people say flooding has been an issue there for 40 years. Jennifer Kirkby, Chairwoman of Aireborough Neighbourhood Development Forum, wants to see an environmental report on water, flooding and drainage conditions in Aireborough to get to the root of the problem.

She said: “On the 1838 Tithe Map the field there is called Clay Banks – there is always a good reason for a field name, often to do with land use. Also, the underlying bedrock geology here is where a layer of mudstone meets a layer of East Carlton Grit. So, is it the drains, or is there something geological as well – it could be rising ground water or artisanal water. Or is it a mix of both.”