A councillor has called for further assurances that the town is adequately prepared for serious flooding this winter, raising questions about emergency resources, staffing reductions and whether response arrangements have been properly tested.
Councillor John Roddy, who represents Bewsey and Whitecross, says flooding is the issue most frequently raised with him by residents, many of whom have experienced the disruption and distress caused by previous incidents.
He first raised his concerns on September 19 with Warrington Borough Council Leader Cllr Hans Mundry, senior council officers, fellow ward councillors and Sarah Hall MP.
After receiving no acknowledgement from the original recipients for almost three weeks, Cllr Roddy followed up expressing his disappointment. A detailed response was subsequently received from a senior council officer that afternoon.
While welcoming the information provided, Cllr Roddy said he remained concerned about whether the arrangements in place would be sufficient to deal with widespread flooding, particularly given the council’s financial pressures and planned staffing reductions.
He said: “Flooding is the issue most frequently raised with me by residents of Bewsey and Whitecross. Many have experienced the consequences of serious flooding and are understandably concerned about what the coming winter may bring.
“The response confirms that important drainage improvements have been completed, pumping stations maintained and emergency response arrangements established. This is encouraging and deserves recognition.
“However, my principal concern remains whether these arrangements are sufficiently resourced and have been properly tested, particularly given the council’s financial restrictions and substantial planned staffing reductions.”
Cllr Roddy said residents needed to know whether anticipated emergency response times could be met under realistic conditions, including when several communities were affected simultaneously.
He also questioned whether contractors and partner agencies had demonstrated that the necessary personnel, equipment and resources could be mobilised within the stated timescales, including outside normal working hours.
“There is a considerable difference between having emergency procedures documented and knowing that they can be delivered effectively when residents need them most,” he added.
The council has also acknowledged that several known flood-risk locations remain unresolved because of funding limitations, prompting further questions about what interim protection is available for affected communities.
Cllr Roddy is calling for a joint meeting involving council officers, elected representatives and relevant agencies, including the Environment Agency and United Utilities.
He is also seeking clarification on the potential impact of planned staffing reductions on emergency flood response arrangements, how seasonal weather forecasts are taken into account and whether emergency procedures have been tested adequately.
Emphasising that his concerns were intended to be constructive, Cllr Roddy acknowledged the financial challenges facing the authority and the work already undertaken by council officers and partner organisations.
He said: “Residents deserve reassurance that every reasonable preparation has been made, particularly in communities where flooding has previously caused significant disruption and distress.
“Winter is getting closer, and the time to establish that our emergency arrangements are ready is now — not after flooding has occurred.”
Cllr Roddy said he would continue to keep residents informed of developments and the council’s responses to his outstanding questions.
