Residents welcome flood defence plans

IMPROVED plans for flood defences on Knutsford Road, Warrington, have been welcomed by local residents.
With a one in 20 chance of flooding from the River Mersey each year to 1,500 local homes, residents welcomed the new proposals which were outlined to a special meeting at St Hilda’s Mission.
Organised by local Cllr Maureen McLaughlin , (pictured right) in association with the Victoria Park Residents Association (Vipra), the meeting included a detailed Powerpoint presentation by Dermot Smith from the Environment Agency.
New illustrations were available for viewing, which showed the changes that have been made in response to concerns expressed at the Environment Agency’s consultation day in July.
Cllr McLaughlin welcomed everyone to the presentation and encouraged people to make their views heard to ensure the best possible outcome for the area.
The flooding risk is expected to increase with the impact of climate change. This proposed scheme will reduce the risk of flooding to 1 in 100, or 1% in any one year. The first phase of the scheme will focus on the Knutsford Road area in Latchford, which is the area with the most homes (nearly 1,500) at risk of flooding.
Mr Smith explained that building walls and embankments along the River Mersey was the best option to balance the needs of the people and the environment, providing an effective way to manage the risk of flooding. In Latchford West, the defences will run from Black Bear footpath to the Bridgefoot roundabout close to the town centre.
Residents welcomed the scheme, acknowledging the need for greater protection from flooding. There was a lively discussion about a variety of concerns, but residents were generally positive about the plans and about the way that the consultation has been handled.
Cllr McLaughlin said: “The original proposals prompted a number of concerns regarding the loss of trees, the new entrance to Victoria Park, and the flood defence wall itself. The new plans take into account many of the original concerns and are to be welcomed. The unavoidable loss of several trees along Knutsford Road will sadden many people, but we have been assured that many more new trees will be planted in the Park to replace them. There is still some work to do, but it is clear that the Environment Agency is listening to local people.”
Local resident and Warrington Nature Conservation Forum (WNCF) member Jane Cullen was impressed by the new plans:
“I’d like to commend the work that the Environmental Team have done especially in taking on board local residents suggestions and concerns following their consultation earlier in the year’.
Brian Martin, also from the Warrington Nature Conservation Forum, said that he would be feeding back suggestions from the forum for species that would be a suitable replacement for the heavy tree loss, especially the important strand of Hornbeam, which is rarely found in northern counties of England. He agreed that flood protection was the priority in this case.
The next stage in the process is to secure funding for the project, which will need to go through a national bidding process, but it is anticipated that with local support there is a good chance that the scheme will go ahead next year.
Further information can be found on the environment agency website www.environment-agency.gov.uk/homeandleisure/floods/109697.aspx

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3 Comments

Cllr Geoff Settle on 15th September 2011 9:35 am 9:35 am

I too thought that the presentation was excellent. A lot of effort is going into delivering an outcome that protects the properties of Latchford whilst at the same time offers improvements.

These include the park entrance that is tight, I know from organising the Chris Vose 10km race back between 1988 – 91 of the logistical problems of getting 1,000 competitors through the gates. I also remember looking at the athletics track deep in water a week or so before the start of the race and wondering what I was going to do. I couldn’t believe it – I had trained twice a week for many years and had no problems even in the down pours. Fortunately though the park drains quickly.

As chair I will be co-ordinating a response about mitigating the tree loss on behalf of the Warrington Nature Conservation Forum and welcome any ideas you may have.

Please send them to me c/o [email protected]

Cllr Geoff Settle on 15th September 2011 9:50 am 9:50 am

I nearly forgot to say if you follow the link and pick Mersey Scheme you can see other areas that will be protected as the whole scheme is rolled out.

For example I live close to where Spittle brook flooded Solway Close last year – if it had breached Enfield Park then the flood water would have ended up outside my doorstep and I’m a couple of miles from the Mersey in Cinnamon Brow.

There are three types of flooding

1. Mersey as a consequence of an exceptionally high tide;

2. Too much water entering the natural flood defence – The Manchester Canal – if too much goes in then it could breach;

3. Heavy rain into the brook like Spittle and Padgate.

So you can see it affects a much wider area than you may think especially if the when you factor in the climate change impact on sea level. To help alleviate some of your fears the site should also give you details of what to do if a flood alert is sounded and how to get on the list of people who will be alerted.

Best to be prepared and warned than to ignore the odds.

V Cowley on 23rd September 2011 2:51 pm 2:51 pm

I think the tree loss is despicable. Mature, beautiful trees will be destoyed and a concrete monstrosity (which will undoubtedly be vandalised) will replace them. No thought for the birds who rely on these trees. Other options should be considered, i.e. removable barriers as used in Shrewsbury or some sort of pumping facility. I am beyond disgusted.