Title: River Mersey flood alleviation scheme : consultation document
Author: Environment Agency North West Region
Document Type: Monograph
Annotation: EA additional title info: January 2000
Abstract:
In 1995 the then National Rivers Agency (now incorporated in the Environment Agency) commissioned a study into the standard and condition of the flood defences along the River Mersey between Stockport and Ashton-upon-Mersey, a distance of approximately 20km. The study objectives were to identify the standards of flood protection provided, to report on the condition of the existing defences and to investigate options for remedial works or improvements if these were found to be necessary. These objectives were met in the Feasibility stage of the scheme, which was completed in late summer 1999. The main conclusions on flood defence were that standards of flood protection to the Mersey floodplain varied from approximately 5 years to over 100 years, and that there were three significant areas of urban development where the standard of protection fell well below a desirable level. These were at Northenden both north and south of the river and at Didsbury. The condition of the defences and the components o f the Flood Control Scheme also varied; parts of the river banks had been rehabilitated in the 1980s, but others had not been treated and their condition was starting to deteriorate. At present the Agency carries out a regular and intensive maintenance regime over the length of river concerned, managing vegetation on the river banks and in the channel, removing accumulated silt and debris from the river banks and channel, carrying out repairs to the banks as necessary and maintaining the operational assets at the Flood Basins and other control structures. The study concluded that flood defence improvements should be carried out at a number of sites to raise the standard of protection to that of a 100 year return period, and that in general the present level of maintenance activity on the river should be continued, with farther investigation into alternative practices to assess whether these could offer environmental improvements. The scheme is now at the initial detailed design stage for the defence improvement works, with completion of contract documents programmed for the end of the summer 2000. This Consultation Document has been produced to provide basic information on the proposed defence improvement works and to invite comments on their layout and form from Statutory Consultees. It is not intended to be a comprehensive technical report, however, further information on specific matters can be made available to consultees on request. Copies are also available to the general public in local libraries and at Agency offices at Sale and Warrington. In addition a Public Display will be held in February at Northenden and Didsbury (venues to be advertised in the local press) to present the Agencys proposals to the general public for their information and comment.
Publisher: Environment Agency
Publication Date: 2000
Publication Place: Warrington
Subject Keywords: Flooding; Flood control; Flood defence structures; History
Geographic Keywords: EA North West; Mersey; Upper Mersey catchment
Extent: 13; + figures, appendices
Permalink: http://www.environmentdata.org/archive/ealit:1161
Total file downloads: 326
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