Poynton Flood Management Remains Key Priority

30 Jan 2020 04:55
Published by: Kian French

Poynton Flood Action Group held a Flood Smart Event on Saturday 25th January, to review ongoing progress in responding to last year's serious flooding incidents, offer further support to affected residents, and work towards establishing a new action plan to help reduce future flood risk in the community. Local MP, David Rutley, attended for part of the event, to pledge his continued support for this important work.

The busy event was attended by many local residents, and David took the time to speak with them about their concerns. There were also representatives present from a number of agencies that are actively taking part in the response to last year's serious flooding, such as United Utilities, and the Environment Agency, which explained that extensive work is underway to remove blockages and debris from further upstream, helping to improve river flows and prevent future build-up of water.

At the meeting, it was confirmed that the Section 19 Flood Investigation Report, setting out the causes and impact of the recent flooding and recommending a plan of action to enhance future flood resilience, continues to be actively developed. There was also an update from the National Trust Lyme Park, which is working to look at more natural flood management schemes, to help slow or hold floodwater further upstream, helping to better protect residents and businesses in the future.

In addition to the response to last year's flooding and the need for enhanced flood resilience in the future, the meeting also focused on more practical issues to support those affected by last year's serious floods, such as obtaining household and commercial insurance, as well as how and where to report concerns about potentially blocked drains, gullies and culverts to Cheshire East Council. This can be done at: www.cheshireeasthighways.gov.uk/report-it-general.aspx.

Ahead of the meeting, David had met with the Group's Chair, local resident Wendy Daly, to catch up on the Group's progress. Mrs Daly explained that the Group aims to help ensure all local residents can become more flood aware, and that a robust and viable action plan is in place, to better protect local residents from future instances of very heavy rainfall.

David said: "Given the serious and widespread impact of last year's floods, it is vital that work continues at pace to deliver a full and thorough review into last year's floods, and for a clear action plan to be developed and communicated to local residents. I am very grateful to the Poynton Flood Action Group for the important role they are playing in taking forward this work and bringing the relevant agencies together to better protect residents in Poynton from future flooding. I will continue to support their activities in the weeks and months ahead.

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