Residents in Poynton were invited to attend a multi-agency drop-in session today to discuss the impacts of the recent flash floods.
The event took place at Poynton Civic Hall from 1.00pm - 7.00pm to provide information and advice to those affected by localised flooding, including how they might protect themselves and their properties against future flood events.
The event was hosted by the Environment Agency who were accompanied by officers from Cheshire East Council, United Utilities, Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service and other partner agencies. Poynton Ward Councillors Jos Saunders, Mike Beanland, Mike Sewart and Nicole Wylie also dropped in throughout the day.
Flash flooding occurred in Poynton and surrounding towns and villages on 31 July, which resulted in a major incident being declared. Over the following five days, 150mm of rain fell – three times the amount that fell during the flooding in 2016.
A spokesperson for Cheshire East Council explained that it was intended that Council officers, together with partners, would be available to talk to residents about flood resilience, as well as to provide further information about the ongoing recovery efforts.
During the drop-in event, people were given the opportunity to find out about the multi-agency response to issues of flooding across the town, the Environment Agency’s flood warning service, how they can write their own flood plan and see how they can get involved in local volunteer work to improve the riverside environment and reduce flooding problems in their neighbourhoods.
Since the flooding experienced on 31 July in Poynton, Bollington, Rainow, Adlington and Wilmslow areas, Cheshire East Council has been leading the extensive recovery process, while continuing to work closely with partner agencies.
Working on a priority basis, the council’s highways teams are working in partnership with the council’s environmental service company ANSA to return the highways network to a level of normality, while ensuring that it is in a safe and serviceable condition.
Latest assessments of the damage mean that the recovery works will range from whole scale reconstruction of parts of the highways network, to more minor damage repairs and clear up operations.
Gully emptying, jetting and road sweeping is ongoing in affected areas. Three road closures are currently in in place due to flood damage:
- Moggie Lane, Higher Poynton – long-term road closure due to extensive damage to the road and bridge.
- Ingersley Road, Bollington – work is ongoing to alleviate the immediate impact of a collapsed culvert and to determine the nature and extent of the repair work required.
- Crooked Yard Road, Macclesfield Forest - flood damage to the carriageway.
Full signed diversion routes for these closures can be found here.
The council continues to monitor the weather forecast and locations recently affected by the floods.
At Poynton Town Council’s request, Cheshire East Council has also delivered 250 sandbags to Poynton Civic Hall and supplemented these with loose sand and empty sandbags.
The council’s own supply of sandbags has been replenished and the authority is ready to distribute these where requested.
Residents who could not attend the drop-in session but want to be kept up-to-date with flood resilience measures can email the Environment Agency to be added to a mailing list.
(Photos: CEC, Poynton Residents)
