News

Marple flood protection scheme given go-ahead to delight of region’s MP

By Matt Davies

More than 70 homes prone to flooding in Marple will be protected from next year, to the delight of the region’s MP.

Part of a government scheme, the works near Marple’s Rose Hill Station form just one of 93 flood risk management programs taking place nationally.

Liberal Democrat MP for Hazel Grove, Andrew Stunell, welcomed the essential works – due to start in the coming year.

“It’s good to hear that this vital work has got the go-ahead,” he said.  “It will reduce the risk of flooding locally. 

“The only down side is the unavoidable traffic disruption next spring when these major works are carried out.”

The decision was made after structural faults were discovered in drainage piping carrying a watercourse six metres below Stockport Road.

A 400m length is to be replaced with an enlarged pipe with the work carried out by Stockport Council in March 2014.

Environment Agency engineers said the improvements would reduce the risk of flooding while also providing access to the structure for maintenance and repairs.

The Agency’s last flood management plan for the Upper Mersey catchment came in December 2009, and highlighted the River Goyt and Tame as requiring careful supervision.

Between April 2011 and March 2015, the Coalition Government pledged to invest £2.3billion in to flood defences in a bid to protect thousands of homes.

Risk management authorities are currently on track to deliver better protection to 165,000 homes by March 2015, 20,000 above their original target.

Picture courtesy of Stephen McKay/Geograph Project, via Wikimedia Commons, with thanks

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