Your views sought on flood risk strategy

Communities, businesses and landowners are being asked to give their views on new plans to deal with the risks caused by flooding.

The council’s cabinet has recently approved a revised Local Flood Risk Management Strategy, which will go out for a second period of public consultation from Friday 10 January to Friday 21 February.

Councillor Tony Isherwood, cabinet member for environment, said: “Local flooding can have a significant impact on the people and economy of Bury and risks are predicted to increase in the future due to climate change, increasing development pressures and changing land use practices that affect the way that land is able to naturally respond to rainfall.

“It is not possible to prevent all flooding but it is possible to consider the risks faced and ways to manage the risks and potential consequences.

“In drawing up the strategy, we have sought to balance the needs of residents, the economy and the environment. We now need to hear from local communities, businesses and landowners with their views on the strategy.”

The main source of river flooding in Bury is from the River Irwell and its tributaries, including Holcombe Brook, Pigslee Brook, Kirklees Brook and

the River Roch. Floods caused by surface water are also a particular issue in Ramsbottom and Radcliffe.

Evidence indicates that the damage caused by flood incidents could increase due to the impact of climate change and pressure for new development. 

The Local Flood Risk Management Strategy has been produced in response to new duties placed on the council under the Flood and Water Management Act 2010. It focuses on local flood risk from surface water, groundwater and ordinary watercourses, but also considers flooding from rivers. It identifies the responsibilities for flooding within the borough and seeks to encourage a range of organisations to work together to improve the management of flood risk. 

The Local Strategy will form the framework within which communities can have a greater say in local flood risk management decisions. It will encourage more effective risk management by enabling land owners, communities, business and the public sector to work together.

Cllr Isherwood continued: “While we have been able to develop an understanding of the flood risk in the borough through modelling, past records and the knowledge of our staff, there is always more information we can use and we are keen to hear from you about areas in your neighbourhood which may have experienced flooding or where actions have been taken which have had an impact on flood risk.

“We are also interested in hearing your views on the proposed plans for managing and alleviating flood risk. While the plans are still at an early stage and the Strategy is only able to give an outline of potential schemes for managing flood risk in the future, we are very keen to hear of any issues which will need to be considered when the detail for these schemes is developed.”

From the start of the consultation, the strategy and its supporting evidence can be viewed or downloaded at www.bury.gov.uk/8175

The documents can also be viewed at the Planning Division reception (Ground Floor, 3 Knowsley Place, Duke Street, Bury) between 8.45am and 4pm (Monday-Friday) and Bury Town Hall from 8.45am to 5pm (Monday-Friday).

Details of how to respond can be found at the web link and at the venues mentioned above.

ENDS

Press release issued: 7 January 2014.