Safety work needed to stop pool flooding
SAFETY work to almost 1km of banking at Poynton Pool is needed to prevent the risk of ‘extensive flooding’ during heavy rain.
Proposals have been put forward by Cheshire East Council include raising low points on the bank and widening the footpath, which would also be resurfaced with gravel.
This work means at least 44 trees would be removed plus up to another 37 depending on their root structure and how this affects safety.
But the council has now put these proposals out to public consultation ahead of a planning application being submitted later this year.
Heavy flooding has hit Poynton several times in recent years following prolonged periods of rain.
Councillor Nick Mannion, chair of the economy and growth committee, said the 900m section of banking and footpath forms a ‘spillway’ to control the level of water during flooding.
He added: “However, the last inspection found that this stretch of the bank is not at a consistent level, and there are parts that are lower.
“It means that in the event of extreme flooding, water would not flow out of the pool evenly and could damage the bank – leading to an uncontrolled release of water. This would lead to extensive flooding and impact people and properties in the local area. For Poynton Pool, there is a 1 in 10,000 chance per year of this type of flood happening,
“But it is of course a situation that no-one wants to see become reality and the council is taking action to improve the
resilience of the spillway.“
The stretch of banking in question is between Poynton Pool and the A523 London Road North.
The pool is classed as a reservoir and under legislation compulsory inspections are carried out to ensure it complies with safety standard.
It is intended that the safety works will be completed by the end of 2023.
Also included will be replanting of trees and bio-diversity mitigation work such as the installation of bat boxes.
Coun Mannion added: “The inspection found that existing trees along
the bank also pose safety concerns. Flooding could cause trees to fall – increasing the likelihood of further damage to the bank, which would contribute to a further risk of flooding.
“We will do all that we can to keep the removal of trees and shrubs to a minimum, but this cannot be at the cost of safety.”
An online consultation survey can be found at cheshireeast.gov.uk/ poyntonpoolspillway or email consultations@ cheshireeasthighways. org.
Deadline for comments is Friday, November 4.