ENVIRONMENT Agency chiefs have warned that even after the £23 million flood defence scheme along the banks of the Mersey at Warrington, the risk of flooding can never be entirely removed.
The warning came as two members of Warrington Borough Council made an official visit to Victoria Park, where the first phase of the project is now nearing completion.
Councillors Maureen McLaughlin and Graham Welborn joined officers from the council, the Environment Agency and contractors Birse to inspect the scheme, which will increase protection to more than 2,000 local homes and businesses.
Work in Victoria Park and along Knutsford Road will be finished this summer and the second phase of construction is due to begin in Howley at the end of July.
The third and final phase of the scheme will be constructed in Woolston, Padgate, Kingsway North, Cinnamon Brow and Latchford East (Westy) next year for completion in spring 2015.
Landscaping and tree planting are scheduled to begin in the Victoria Park area in November this year.
Cllr McLaughlin said: “This was an excellent opportunity to view the progress of the scheme at close hand, and to provide feedback which will be of benefit as the project moves into phases two and three.
“Although the scheme is designed primarily to protect residents and businesses from a high risk of flooding, the council’s partnership with the Environment Agency has enabled the overall finish to be of a high quality with an improved and welcoming park entrance.
“Due to the nature of the works this hasn’t always been an easy time for local residents, but I hope they will be delighted with the final results when the barriers come down.”
Environment Agency flood risk manager Mark Garratt said: “The walls and embankments have taken shape, and you can see that the new entrance to Victoria Park will look fantastic when we have landscaped and replanted in the area.
“Work in this area is due for completion within the next couple of months and we are on track to begin the second phase of construction in Howley in July.”
Mr Garratt said the agency was hosting surgeries at the site offices in Victoria Park every second Friday, between 1pm and 2.30pm where people could drop in two discuss the scheme. One is being held today (Friday).
He added: “Warrington has been on the cusp of major flooding several times, and the weather we experienced in 2012 highlights how essential this work is. Once complete, the flood defences will reduce flood risk to over 2,000 local homes and businesses, ensuring that Warrington can continue to prosper.”
But even with the new defences in place, the flood risk could never ben entirely removed.
Residents could help prepare for flooding by phoning Floodline on 0845 988 1188, to find out if they could sign up for free flood warnings. People could also get information on developing a flood plan, putting together a flood kit and other ways of preparing for flooding by visiting the Environment Agency’s website www.environment-agency.gov.uk/flood
Pictured (left to right): Will Singleton from Birse, Mark Garratt, Environment Agency, Cllr Maureen McLaughlin, Cllr Graham Welborn, Jim Turton, Warrington Borough Council and Chris Stone from the Environment Agency, standing next to one of the new flood walls at Howley Weir.
5 Comments
Pity the cllrs weren’t as concerned with the damage to the. Houses opposite as they are with a PR stunt. As a local resident, in 20 years the river has overflowed ONCE. IF We are going to get water levels that warrant the height of these defences, all of Warrington will be under water.
It would be great for silver surfer to just once make a positive comment about our town. Your friends must really love it when you enter the room 🙁
£23,000,000 (plus the cost to the town of all the disruption) to partially protect a relatively small number of homes from something which hasn’t happened in living memory. Great value for money, that!
Canadian abroad. Most people tend to agree with my comments. Having spent the last 15+ years actively involved in the community, I comment from experience., not through tinted glasses. It’s difficult to find positives when the town is falling apart, the council spend most of the time bickering with the opposition, the roads breed potholes and the traffic problem continually gets worse. That’s just for starters. If people don’t criticise, the people in charge think everything is ok
Do you live in Warrington?
I have to agree with you SS…. the money spent on this folly along with the disruption to the town during the duration is just madness. The roads are becoming steadily worse and the only bit of re-surfacing work seems to be happening at the M62 Junction 8 roundabout which; as I pointed out the other month, would result in trucks thundering through Councillor O’Neils constituency of Burtonwood if it was left until after the Omega site is up and running…. funny that eh?