Guardian
column, Weaver Vale MP Mike Amesbury reflects on last month s flooding in Northwich and the devastation it caused. NORTHWICH has made regional and national headlines in recent weeks for reasons we don’t wish to celebrate or see repeated. Flooding reaped havoc on our community in the midst of a national and international health crisis which is rapidly turning into an economic one. Mercifully, flood barriers stopped the Rivers Weaver from breaking their banks during Storm Christoph. But standing outside Waitrose with local councillors I saw history repeating itself with residents and businesses again impacted as surface water drains were overwhelmed.
Storm Christoph flooding in Northwich. Image: Matt Sayle MINISTERS are being urged to intervene to assist communities in Cheshire following the devastation caused by Storm Christoph. Cheshire MPs have written to Robert Jenrick, secretary of state for housing, communities and local government, and George Eustice, secretary of state for environment, food and rural affairs. The letter from Eddisbury MP Edward Timpson, Tatton MP Esther McVey, Warrington South MP Andy Carter, Warrington North MP Charlotte Nichols, Weaver Vale MP Mike Amesbury, Ellesmere Port and Neston MP Justin Madders and City of Chester MP Chris Matheson expresses concerns over the situation. It says: “We have seen first-hand how residents and businesses across Warrington and Cheshire West and Chester boroughs have been severely impacted.
Picture by Matt Sayle TOWN councillors insist that now is not the time to start a blame game around the flooding which hit Northwich last month. Storm Christoph left much of the town centre hit by devastating floods, while residents were evacuated from houseboats, Weaver Court retirement village, Acton Bridge and Sandy Lane, in Weaverham. Speaking at Monday s Northwich Town Council meeting, members called on all responsible parties to get round the table and make decisive action – rather than simply pass the buck. Cllr Andrew Cooper, who sits on both the town council and Cheshire West and Chester Council, said: I m not a hydrological engineer or an expert on sewerage systems, but luckily we know people who are and they need to get their heads to this and sort it out.
Cllr Louise Gittins is urging the Government to provide support after the floods. Image: Matt Sayle THE leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council has called on the Government to support residents affected by last week s flooding. In a letter to George Eustice, Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Cllr Louise Gittins stresses that action is needed to protect the borough from future flooding. Northwich, Winsford, Acton Bridge and Weaverham were all hit by heavy rain brought by Storm Christoph last week. More than 100 residents were evacuated from flooded homes across Cheshire West, while 39 businesses were affected in Northwich alone, and Cllr Gittins is demanding action to stop the same devastation happening again.
How Northwich looked this time last week. Image: Matt Sayle THIS time last week, Northwich residents and business owners woke up to the most devastating floods seen for decades. Storm Christoph deluged the town with heavy rain – and a brief but thick flurry of snow – leaving disruption and destruction in its wake. In the week since, the community has rallied together to support residents forced to leave their homes and business owners whose premises were ruined. Now, two of the Cheshire West and Chester Council members whose wards were badly affected by the storm have issued a joint statement calling for action to prevent another repeat of the floods.