Drop-in session on flooding

Poynton residents are being invited to attend a multi-agency drop-in session regarding the recent flash floods.

Taking place at Poynton Civic Hall from 1-7pm on Thursday 15 August, the drop-in session is being held to provide information and advice to those affected by localised flooding, including how they can protect themselves and their properties against floods in the future. 

The event, being hosted by the Environment Agency, will also be attended by officers from Cheshire East Council, United Utilities, Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service and other partner agencies and follows flash flooding in Poynton on 31 July, which resulted in a major incident being declared. Over five days, 150mm of rain fell – three times the amount that fell during the flooding in 2016.

A spokesperson for Cheshire East Council said: “The council is committed to keeping residents safe and would urge anyone who has concerns or questions about the recent floods to attend this week’s event. 

“Council officers, together with our partners, will 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 will be given the opportunity to find out about the multi-agency response to issues of flooding across the town.

They will also be able to find out about 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 – as well as in the 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 cannot attend the drop-in session but would like to be kept up-to-date with flood resilience measures can email the Environment Agency to be added to a mailing list.