25th January 2026
“We need to kick these lazy, useless LibDem councillors in the ballot box at the first opportunity” said a local resident.
Residents in Romiley say they have been left “ignored and frustrated” after more than 18 months without any response from local Liberal Democrat representatives regarding ongoing concerns about Padden Brook.
Local people have repeatedly raised issues about the condition and management of the brook, including flooding risk, maintenance, and environmental impact. Despite contacting ward councillors and their MP, residents claim they have received no replies, updates, or acknowledgement.
A recently circulated Liberal Democrat leaflet urges residents to “contact your local team” and lists contact details for Councillors Rachel Bresnahan, Angie Clark, Mark Roberts, and Hazel Grove MP Lisa Smart. However, residents say this stands in stark contrast to their lived experience.
“We’ve contacted them by email and phone, and in some cases more than once,” said one Romiley resident. “Eighteen months later, we still haven’t had a single response about Padden Brook.”
Padden Brook has been a long-standing concern for nearby households, particularly during periods of heavy rainfall. Residents say they are not seeking political point-scoring, but clear communication and reassurance that the issue is being taken seriously.
“If there are constraints or delays, people understand that,” another resident said. “What’s unacceptable is complete silence.”
The leaflet also provides a shared contact number and a local office address on Stockport Road in Romiley, but residents say attempts to engage through these channels have also failed to produce results.
Community members are now questioning how effective local representation is when advertised points of contact do not translate into engagement on real issues affecting residents’ homes and safety.
As of publication, no response has been received from the named councillors or MP regarding the lack of communication about Padden Brook.
The Romiley Gazette has contacted the Liberal Democrats for comment.
