First look at flood defence plans
MEMBERS of the public can get a first look at multi-million pound plans aimed at preventing a repeat of the Boxing Day floods of 2015 tomorrow (Thursday).
Staff from the Environment Agency and Rochdale council will be at Unity House on Belfield Road from 4pm to 7pm.
Residents and businesses are being urged to have their say on the plans, which could include new flood walls, flood water storage areas and increasing the capacity of bridges and culverts.
Nick Pearson, Environment Agency Senior Advisor, said: “While the proposed Rochdale flood risk scheme is still in its very early stages, we are pleased to be in a position to share our developments with the local community. The community drop-in session is an ideal opportunity for people to learn about the latest plans for Rochdale. Environment Agency and Council officers will be on hand to explain the proposals and the steps people can take to prepare themselves against flooding. We’d like to hear the views of local residents and look forward to sharing ideas on how best to reduce flood risk in Rochdale.”
It’s thought the largest scheme will see £20m spent along the River Roch between Littleborough and Rochdale to protect more than 1,000 homes and businesses.
Work on the Environment Agency project, which is due to start in 2018, will see floodwater storage areas constructed to minimise the damage if the river bursts its banks again.
Two new storage reservoirs in Littleborough to protect 66 properties from future flooding have also been recently completed.
The ponds, which can hold the same amount of water as four Olympic swimming pools, have been created at Springfield Avenue and Townhouse Road to store overflow water from the nearby Calder Brook.
They were created as part of a £500,000 council scheme with grants from the Regional Flood and Coastal Committee and Defra’s flood defence grant.