Environment Agency starts emergency works to reduce flood risk along the River Mersey

This week Environment Agency contractors have started emergency works along the River Mersey, near Didsbury, to provide a temporary fix to sections of flood embankments that collapsed during record river levels over New Year. 

A helicopter is being used over the next couple of weeks to place around 1000 tonne bags of rock into five key locations in the flood embankments where there are currently gaps, to form temporary protection. 

Withington Golf Club and the Britannia Hotel car parks are being used as site compounds for the materials, prior to them being flown by helicopter to the key locations along the Mersey, including Didsbury Toc H Rugby Club. 

The helicopter will also restore some of the rock bags that have become displaced at Northenden Weir, where separate and unrelated repair works have been ongoing since November.

Since the New Year flooding, Environment Agency officers have carried out rapid inspections of all flood defences, monitoring the damage using drones. They have carried out physical inspections and surveys to ensure the full extent of the damage is understood, alongside planning emergency works. 

The Environment Agency have been pumping water from Didsbury Flood Storage Reservoir and other surrounding flood plains, including at Didsbury Sports Ground, to reduce water levels and allow recovery works to take place. The levels of Didsbury Flood Storage Reservoir are now the lowest they can reach through pumping.

Whilst emergency repairs are being put in place, flood warning thresholds have been amended to ensure people at increased risk of flooding are warned appropriately. This gives people valuable time to act and stay safe when flooding is likely. 

The region saw 70 millimetres of rain fall in 18 hours and the River Mersey recorded its highest ever levels. 

The Environment Agency issued 55 flood warnings and alerts across Wigan and Greater Manchester and all flood defences in the area, such as the Didsbury and Sale flood storge basins, were operated to reduce flood risks.  

Due to the sheer volume of rainfall and record river levels, the design capacity for many flood defences was exceeded, leading to overtopping. 

Approximately 11,974 properties were protected by flood defences in Wigan and Greater Manchester, while sadly 200 were flooded. 

Mary-Rose Muncaster, Area Flood and Coastal Risk Manager, from the Environment Agency, said:

“We know the devasting impact flooding has, which is why reducing flood risk is our top priority. 

“These emergency works should hopefully reassure residents that we’re doing all we can to maintain a level of flood protection to the area and our thoughts remain with those affected by flooding in the area over the New Year. 

“Public safety is our main concern, and we urge everyone to adhere to the temporary footpath closures whilst the works are taking place and refrain from trying to get a closer look. 

“People should check their flood risk, sign up for free flood warnings and keep up to date with the latest situation as well as following @EnvAgency on X, formerly Twitter, for the latest flood updates. Sign up for flood warnings here - Sign up for flood warnings – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).” 

As the design and construction of a new permanent defence will take a while to get in place, the new temporary defences will reduce the risk of flooding whilst work on permanent solution continues. 

The Environment Agency has already updated their modelling to support understanding of flood risks and ensure they can give the community valuable time to respond and stay safe should high river flows be expected.   

Councillor Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council, said:

“The flooding experienced by thousands of people living in south Manchester over the New Year was undoubtedly an incredibly disruptive experience. With water levels along the Mersey reaching heights not seen in decades it has caused a significant amount of disruption for our communities. 

“With the initial danger having passed it is crucial that work now takes place to shore up the defences along the Mersey, and rebuild the sections of the flood wall which were damaged. Our number one priority remains the safety and protection of our residents and businesses. 

“I am grateful for the quick and timely response from our colleagues in the Environment Agency in beginning these works, and we remain supportive of the work they are doing to manage the risk of flooding while these repairs take place. I would also like to reassure residents that everything is being done to get these temporary repairs done as quickly as possible.”