North West chief praises Warrington flood defences

WARRINGTON’S new flood defences have been praised for protecting the town during the recent floods emergency.
Derek Antrobus, chair of the North West Regional Flood and Coastal Committee, said that “on December 5, 2013, thanks to investment by the Environment Agency, working with partners including Warrington Borough Council, the value of our flood defences was proven.”
Completed only recently, the new Warrington flood defences protected hundreds of properties which would otherwise have been inundated.
But Mr Antrobus has warned that now is not the time for complacency and we must remain vigilant, and that tackling flood risk is not just the job of the Environment Agency.
In an open letter to residents, he said: “I want to call on you to play your part. Whatever the Environment Agency, the local water company, or your local council do, there is always the chance that the scale of flooding will be greater than our defences have been designed to withstand, my advice is to be aware and be prepared.”
Cllr Linda Dirir, a member of Warrington Borough Council’s executive board, added: “In Warrington we have benefited greatly from our close partnership with the Environment Agency, through the local levy which we have used to bring in extra funding from the government, and our flood defence works on the River Mersey have been fantastic.
“But we must still encourage residents to check whether they may be at risk from future flooding. You can phone Floodline on 0345 988 1188 for flood warning information and advice, or visit the Environment Agency website. And those who are at risk can find advice on how to avoid some of worst aspects of flood damage, by visiting the National Flood Forum website.”