57 ‘High consequence’ Manchester flood defences still ‘below required condition’
It's despite heavy flooding on New Year's Day this year
Manchester has 57 ‘high consequence’ flood defences ‘below required condition’ almost a year on from New Year’s devastation, a new investigation has revealed.
Some 17 per cent of the city’s ‘high consequence’ defences — those protecting multiple homes or businesses — are not up-to-standard. That’s despite repeated pleas to the Environment Agency to act swiftly to avoid a repeat of the New Year’s Day floods.
Millions of pounds of damage and hundreds of people were forced from their homes in the disaster nearly a year ago, with some still unsure when they can go home.
The Environment Agency insists protecting the country ‘from the devastating impact of flooding’ is its ‘top priority’.
A spokesperson added: “Each year, we complete up to 165,000 inspections of flood assets across the country and have recently redirected £108m into repairs and maintenance. This will help to ensure the strongest protection for nearby communities.
“If the performance of an asset is reduced, then immediate action is taken to ensure that flood risk continues to be effectively managed until the asset is fully repaired or replaced.”
But councillors in Manchester have long voiced their frustration at the Agency, with Didsbury Lib Dem John Leech recently telling town hall bosses ‘we need to get a grip on United Utilities and the Environment Agency in terms of what work is required’.
Reacting to the investigation, Coun Leech said the findings were ‘no surprise’. He added: “We have been saying for years that money was needed to protect our residents’ homes from flooding, and that is why it is so disappointing that the Environment Agency strategy is so late and that there is no guarantee that the necessary funding will be provided.
“The government urgently needs to provide the necessary resources to protect our homes, but recent announcements have only confirmed that much needed extra money is not one of the Government’s priorities.”
A spokesperson for Manchester council recognised the investigation ‘highlights issues’, they added town hall chiefs are ‘working alongside’ the Environment Agency to protect Mancs. They said: “As flooding becomes a more frequent issue it is vital that the defences that thousands of Mancunians rely on are kept in a state of repair that, should the worst happen, can be relied upon to protect our residents, their homes and their businesses.
“Although this data has highlighted a number of issues, we want to reassure residents that as the Lead Local Flood Authority, we are working alongside our colleagues in the Environment Agency to ensure that resources are deployed within Manchester to protect our communities from the impact of flood events.
“Since the flooding of New Year’s Day a huge amount of work has gone into repairing flood defences across Manchester and improving the flooding response from all agencies and partners. Work is ongoing to secure funding for projects to not only protect people now, but also in the future”
The government is also promising action, with Labour floods minister Emma Hardy pledging £10b for defences. She said: “We inherited flood assets in their worst condition on record. Our immediate response was to redirect £108 million into maintenance and repair works.
“But this is just the start. We’re investing at least £10.5 billion – the largest programme ever – in flood defences until 2036. This will build new defences and repair assets across the country, protecting our communities for decades to come.”