Flood-hit homes had only mound of soil as defence
DOZENS of homes hit by floods were classed as being protected from the high water - but only had a heap of soil left by builders as a defence.
Among the households affected by the June floods were 44 in the Bean Leach Road area, Offerton, that succumbed when Poise Brook overflowed.
A report, produced by consultants Jacobs for Stockport Council, says the Environment Agency classed these homes as having an embankment as a flood defence.
But it goes on to state that this was a ‘misclassification’ and the defence was merely a mould of earth made by the building of a housing estate several decades ago.
Overall three days of floods on June 8, 11 and 16 saw nearly 200 homes succumb and the estimated cost of the effects has now been revealed as around £1 million.
The report says: “The embankment is a spoil mound created during the construction of a housing estate.
“The embankment is not a formal flood defence and neither is it effective as a defence.
“Flood water was directed onto Bean Leach Road by the embankment, following which flood water bypassed the embankment and flowed onto the housing estate.”
Most of the flooding was on June 11 with areas affected including Offerton (another 67), Hazel Grove (52), Bramhall (18) and High Lane (four).
Six in Edgeley also fell victim on June 16 with heavy rainfall on already saturated ground blamed throughout.
The council says that the cost of repairs was £949,000, grants to affected residents totalled £33,000 and a council tax freeze for victims cost £59,000.
After the floods a political row broke out with Liberal Democrats criticising the council, questioning if action could have been taken sooner and drains had been maintained properly.
But the Labour-led council said the Lib Dems had failed to put proper provision in place during their term in control, which ended the previous month.
A subsequent investigation by the council enlisted Jacobs’ help and a review by the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities.
The latter recommended the out of hours flood service, sandbag provision and communication and support when incidents happen all be looked at. Another report has been commissioned for the September floods.