Council seeks to improve flood prevention measures

24 July 2023

Cheshire East Council has reaffirmed its commitment to mitigate flooding risk and support local communities as we face up to the impact of climate change.

A report before the recent highways and transport committee highlighted actions taken to strengthen flood mitigation across the borough and ensure planning applications adopt ‘best practice’ sustainable approaches to surface water reduction and management.

The report highlighted physical works undertaken to mitigate flood risks across the borough.

These include works at:

● Poynton – London Road South and Waterloo Road;

● Leighton – Moss Lane; and 

● Bunbury –   Bowes Gate, Bunbury Road and Bunbury Common.

The council’s flood risk team has contributed to new sustainable drainage system guidance for the council – as a tool to help boost flood prevention best practice in housing and road developments.

A sustainable drainage system works with the landscape of a site to reduce and manage run-off water more effectively and naturally.

Sustainable drainage systems will be required by law for new developments from next year, following a government decision.
The council also resolved to lobby MPs to bring about change to national flood funding.

Councillor Craig Browne, chair of Cheshire East Council’s highways and transport committee, said: “We continue to support our communities by seeking to mitigate the risks of flooding from water courses, groundwater and excess surface water across the borough. 

“Our highways teams, for example, are well-prepared to respond to weather warnings for thunderstorms and flash flooding that can occur, particularly at this time of year.

“I would urge people who come across any flooding that is an immediate threat to life or property, and requires an emergency response, to let us know by phoning 0300 123 5020 during working hours or 0300 123 5025 out of hours.”

To let us know about issues that are not an emergency, visit  FixMyStreet (Cheshire East) online.

Cllr Browne added: “During intense or prolonged periods of rain, gullies can become overwhelmed, leading to standing water on the roads. Once the severe weather has passed, if the water drains away, it means that the gully is not blocked but was unable to cope with the volume of water that fell during the storm.

“The council took the decision last year to invest more resources into gully emptying and, as a result, all gullies are now emptied as part of an overarching three-year strategy.”

The council follows a risk-based approach to allocate gullies to an appropriate cleaning cycle, including six-monthly, and one, two and three-yearly. Higher-risk areas and areas more likely to flood are cleared more regularly. In lower-risk areas the frequency of gully clearing may be reduced. 

These schedules are reviewed regularly and assessed to ensure they are up to date.

Residents can check online when the gullies on their road were last emptied and when the next scheduled visit is due to take place via our online gully tracker.

Cheshire East Council also supports the Flood Hub – a resource designed to be a ‘one-stop shop’ for flood information and resources to support householders, businesses and communities in the region to become more flood resilient. 

The Flood Hub has lots of guidance on flood resilience and its many related topics and includes downloadable resources on its ‘knowledge hub’.