A proposal to cut back on pumping water from low lying areas
between Southport, Ormskirk and Formby is a major worry to local residents,
says Lib Dem Councillor John Dodd. The Environment Agency are proposing to cut
back on pumping at some or all of
the 13 pumping stations draining the low lying areas around Southport.
 | |||
| Cllr John Dodd (left) and Cllr Simon Shaw |
Cllr Dodd said: “Within living memory we have had flooding
of some homes in Crossens from the pumped watercourses, so this is an issue of
serious concern. I think it is
unacceptable that the Environment Agency are only holding two consultation
sessions for members of the public, one in Formby and one on Halsall.”
“The Crossens Pumping Station is one the two main facilities
for the whole catchment area and there is talk of reducing capacity there. It is essential that there is at least one
more drop-in session for residents living in the northern end of Southport.”
Cllr Dodd has raised his concerns with Cllr Simon Shaw (Lib
Dem), Cabinet Member Environmental for Sefton Council.
Cllr Shaw said: “I very much agree that there need to be
further public meetings so that residents can get answers to their
questions. I fact, I have already been
raised my concerns with the Environment Agency.”
“From what I have been told, if this proposal were to go
through, it seems that the main impact would be on farmland and that’s a major
issue in itself. In simple terms, what
is being suggested is a different approach involving much less pumping and more
allowing watercourses to overflow onto flood plains in rural areas.”
“It is obviously crucial that councillors and concerned
residents get some clear guarantees that this does not mean any greater risk of
flooding in built up areas.”
There is a consultation session at Halsall, next Tuesday (1
November) from 1.00pm to 6.30pm at Halsall Memorial Hall.
