NORTHWICH'S flood defences have been put to the test after heavy rain this week. 

We filmed the £7m defences being tested last year (click play to watch the video above) and after days of downpours they are being put to good use today, Thursday. 

Since its installation in June 2018, the 1.7km of kit – which includes floodgates and demountable barriers – has been tested and maintained separately, with this exercise on July 4 the first full ‘worst-cast scenario’ test.

The EA’s three-phase plan was enacted by closing floodgates at Waitrose and at the Dane Street bridge, as well as employing the demountable flood defences outside of Wildwood and ODEON. 

This channel of demountable defences – made of lightweight aluminium and easily transported and erected by a team of EA engineers.

At Dane Bridge, the two layers of barrier act as a channel to keep the water on the path of the River Dane and preventing it from spilling over towards London Road or Watling Street.

Northwich Guardian:

The floodgates are closed in a matter of minutes and, along with the glass panels, create a seal to protect the urbanised area from floodwater.

Demountable defences, like the one at Barons Quay and Dane Road bridge, are erected in around 45 minutes, with the equipment stored at the Winsford depot but dropped off at Northwich locations during periods of persistent bad weather.

Northwich Guardian:

Speaking at the time, Mike Vernon, from the EA’s incident, planning and engagement team, said: “At Waitrose sits the confluence of the River Weaver and Dane.

“Northwich has previously been flooded on several occasions, including 2000 and 2012, distressing residents and costing millions of pounds worth of damage to homes and businesses.

“The EA, along with partners and residents, invested in new flood defences in this urbanised area, including a combination of walls, embankments, increasing ground levels, installing flood gates and demountable flood defences.

“The scheme cost £7m and will increase the standard of protection for more than 400 homes, businesses and a three development sites in the town centre.”