A GOVERNMENT minister visited Northwich to see progress on a multi-million pound flood defence scheme.

Liz Truss MP, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, looked around Hayhurst Quay, home of Waitrose and Northwich Quay, and heard about plans for the regeneration of Barons Quay as well as finding out more about the defences.

Miss Truss said: "It's really impressive what's been achieved at Hayhurst Quay and it's been done in such a way that's in keeping with the river as well as helping the regeneration of the area.

"At Barons Quay about 1,500 jobs will be created, which is fantastic.

"Flood defences are about giving businesses the confidence to invest in an area.

"And they're about partnership funding, the Government working with the local council to protect homes and jobs in the area."

The Environment Agency's flood defence plans for Northwich will cost an estimated £4.5 million, which includes £2 million from Government and £500,000 from CWAC.

They feature different techniques along stretches of the rivers Dane and Weaver, including flood walls and embankments, ground raising, flood gates and demountable defences.

They have proved controversial, especially since work started and a number of trees along the riverbanks have been felled.

Keen photographer David Capper, from Castle, said: "They're trying to make Northwich as pleasant as possible but then doing things like this.

"I'm a local fella who likes doing photography and I use trees as a frame, they add to the scene.

"This is a retrograde step I think, I would call it scenic vandalism."

When this was put to Liz Truss she said: "It's all about having a balance and looking at the overall picture.

"Flood protection is important to make sure we protect the environment.

"The Environment Agency works closely with Natural England to make sure we protect the natural environment.

"11 million trees have been planted across the country and we have the highest level of woodland cover for 700 years."

Miss Truss was met in Northwich by Weaver Vale MP Graham Evans and Cllrs Eveleigh Moore Dutton, deputy leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council (CWAC), and Lynn Riley, CWAC's executive member for localities.