
Image credit: Taylor’s Aboard
An MP has called for action plans to be created for areas recently affected by flooding.
Esther McVey, who represents the Tatton constituency, said she was working with local councils, the Environment Agency and Peel Holdings – which runs the Bridgewater canal – to ensure flood prevention plans were in place for residents and businesses.
Ms McVey said she had spoken with chief executives at both Cheshire East Council and Warrington Council as well as representatives at Peel Holdings, and made clear she would will help in any way she could.
She said that included lobbying for extra money from government for flood prevention measures if needed.
Ms McVey also raised the issue in Parliament, highlighting the breach of the Bridgewater Canal and other local flooding.
Much of it, she said, was exacerbated by poor maintenance and by housing developments without the necessary drainage infrastructure.
She added: “There has been a distinct lack of ongoing maintenance.
“The local councils are not unblocking blocked drains nor carrying out regular cleaning of them, and our rivers are not being dredged.
“All of this adds to water levels rising and water not being able to drain away.”
She said she had been told by some residents, in part of her constituency overseen by Cheshire West and Chester Council, that flooding in their properties could have been prevented with better maintenance.

Tatton MP Esther McVey
Ms McVey also met with residents affected by flooding in Wilmslow, and those in Little Bollington and Lymm.
She also met with people living on the canal who are now stuck on the canal bed.
In response to Ms McVey raising the issue, flooding minister Emma Hardy said: “There is a concern around the canal and I am grateful she mentioned it.
“It is important to look at lots of different things including cleaning out drains where appropriate, there are many things that need to be done together the more we can do and take in some of these small actions, it will have a cumulative effect and will help the situation.”
Ms McVey said anyone needing help should contact her office by calling 01625 529 922 or by emailing officeofesthermcveymp@parliament.uk.
So Cheshire has contacted the three local authorities and the Environment Agency for a comment on their response to the recent flooding.