URGENT action on improved flood resilience and prevention was top of the agenda at a meeting called in the wake of the flash floods that swamped Cheshire East.
Senior representatives from the Environment Agency and the council met with local MP David Rutley to review the response to the summer floods that hit Poynton and other parts of the borough.
It took place as recovery and clean-up work continued. Flooding affected Poynton, Bollington, Kettleshulme, Handforth, Wilmslow, Adlington and Rainow, with 150mm of rain falling over five days. Between 60-90mm of this fell in just 24 hours.
Mr Rutley called for a “full and thorough investigation” into the flooding as he emphasised the widespread concerns of people living in the areas affected.
The MP also called for a clear action plan to be taken forward to address the current damage and to ensure the area was more fully prepared for future incidents.
Environment Agency area director Lee Rawlinson told the meeting his team was currently working to assess the overall extent of the flooding and was gathering essential data needed to inform future planning.
Mr Rutley said: “Coming so soon after flooding in 2016, these recent floods have caused significant concern for the community in Poynton and more widely.
“Residents need clear reassurance that they will be more fully protected from future instances of extreme heavy rainfall.
“That is why I have called for a full and thorough investigation into the recent floods, and for a clear action plan to be developed and communicated to local residents, as an urgent priority."
Paul Bayley, Cheshire East’s director of environment and neighbourhood services, said the local authority would be carrying out a ‘Section 19 Flood Investigation Report’.
It will set out the causes and impact of the flooding, and to put forward a recommended plan of action.
Cheshire East says major highways repairs and clean-up operations are all on-going – including gully emptying, whole-scale reconstruction of parts of the road network and removal of fallen trees. Larger repair and reconstruction schemes will take some time to complete.