CHESHIRE West and Chester Council has come under fire for a 'lack of action' in implementing recommendations set out in a report into the 2019 Northwich floods.

A Flood Risk Action Group (FRAG) was set up by the council earlier this year to deliver the recommendations following the release of the report – 16 months after the incident and with another major flood affecting the community.

Now, 19 months later, residents are concerned that no action has yet been taken.

Locally, the Northwich Flood Prevention Group (NFPG) has been calling on the FRAG to implement recommendations – saying time was a main factor.

Bill Briggs, chairman of the NFPG, has been liaising with members of the FRAG, saying a short term fix is needed to stop flood waters, as well as a long term view to make sure future developments in the town are considered in line with flooding concerns.

He said: "As a spokesperson for the NFPG, I am pleased to have been advised that our group will be invited to attend and take part in the second, and future, meetings of the FRAG.

"Our sole aim, which is entirely non-partisan, is to work with everyone to ensure our town centre never again is subjected to the substantial floods which took place in 2019 and 2021.

"The members of the NFPG have substantial knowledge of the town centre from a professional and a personal perspective over many years, and wish to work with the council, residents and all parties to bring about the required changes quickly and permanently."

The FRAG group met for the first time last week and will meet over the next four months to 'support the development a programme of initiatives, schemes and resources to help the borough recover from the flooding impacts of Storm Christophe and improve flood risk management and resilience'.

A spokesperson for Cheshire West and Chester Council added that the council and its partners have been working to progress the plans to safeguard the borough.

They confirmed that the FRAG consists of council members and officers.

"It will work closely with community members, business groups, MPs, and Town and Parish Councils," the spokesperson continued.

"It will also work alongside other agencies such as the Environment Agency, United Utilities and the Canal and River Trust.

"The council has also commissioned independent engineering consultancy Atkins to undertake the investigation into this year’s flooding events.

"Atkins will produce a further report into the flooding."