The creation of a specialist team and new software to report blocked gullies are just some of the measures being deployed to help tackle flooding in Cheshire West, councillors have been told.

The borough has fallen victim to repeated flooding in recent years, particularly in Northwich Town Centre, Acton Bridge, Sandy Lane in Weaverham and Winsford Caravan Park in October 2019.

In January 2021, major flooding hit several areas across the borough as a result of Storm Christoph, impacting homes and businesses, with some residents having to be evacuated from their homes. .

A task group was set up by the council and at last night’s meeting of Cheshire West and Chester Overview and Scrutiny Committee, members were briefed on the annual review of flood management.

They were told a number of measures had been put in place, including the setting up of a flood risk team, with £147k of funding already approved by council in February. Recruitment has taken place and it is anticipated the team will be in their roles in time for winter 2022.

A web-based reporting tool is also being developed to allow Parish Councils and Cheshire West councillors to report blocked gullies.

Further recommendations were also made for the coming year.

These include:

  • For the task group to receive an update on how the new flood risk team has settled in and what their priorities are.
  • The task group to receive an update on how effective the new communication methods have been with residents relating to sandbag deployment and flood preparations.
  • That an annual member training exercise takes place in the autumn to remind councillors of the council's  and other partner organisations’ roles and responsibilities in relation to flood management, and what to do in the event of a flood.
  • For the task group to receive an update on the take up and development of community resilience plans across the borough.

Neston Labour councillor Keith Millar, said: “I must admit I welcome the recommendation for the commission and development of the web-based tool.

"I took the opportunity to look at government flood risk which was in relation to rivers, roads and gullies. In the Neston patch, there’s no risk in relation to rivers, but there is in relation to gullies.”