Maw Green Road flooding

Maw Green Road passes beneath a railway underpass leading into Crewe and has flooded at least 3 times over the last 5 years resulting in road closures. The flooding at this location is a combination of rainfall, surface water from local drainage and water from Fowle Brook (Main River).

Why it floods

The underpass drainage system runs between a landfill site and railway tracks, making access and maintenance difficult. While the main drain works, its outlet to Fowle Brook frequently becomes restricted when the brook floods, preventing effective drainage and causing the underpass to flood for a short duration.

What we've done

We've taken several steps:

• A feasibility study has been undertaken to identify potential solutions.
• The council have engaged with the Environment Agency about undertaking remedial works on Fowle Brook, and they have significant concerns, meaning it cannot easily be undertaken .
• Installed "road liable to flooding" signs to warn motorists of the potential hazard of flooding.
• Worked with a local housing developer to install boundary drainage to reduce surface water runoff entering the highway.
• Fixed ineffective gullies on Maw Green Road.
• Explored funding options, but a viable business case is currently unavailable.

Future action

The feasibility study suggests costly highway drainage improvements may help reduce the frequency and/ or severity of the flooding, but these rely on a clear outfall to Fowle Brook, which requires significant and expensive maintenance to the brook first. The council cannot afford to undertake the repairs or maintenance works, and there are currently no viable external funding opportunities.

Our responsibilities

Cheshire East Council complies with the Highways Act 1980 by providing flood warning signs and investigating repeated flooding incidents as the Lead Local Flood Authority.

Is my property at risk of flooding?

To find out about the risk of flooding, please check both surface water and fluvial flood risk at your location.

The government advice is that property owners in flood risk areas install property flood resilience products in advance of flooding and sign up to the free flood warning service to received alerts and warnings: sign up for flood warnings.

Responsibilities for managing rivers and watercourses

For more details please see guidance owning a watercourse.

Further advice on the council's approach to managing these watercourses can also be found on the Flood risk management page.