MP WELCOMES SCHEME TO PROTECT FLOOD-PRONE MARPLE HOMES

Andrew Stunell MP welcomed news that over 70 homes on Stockport Road, Marple, will be protected from flooding through a new scheme starting work next year.

The work that will take place near Rose Hill station, Marple, is one of 93 flood risk management schemes nationally that the government has chosen to start in the coming year.

Commenting, Andrew said -

"It's good to hear that this vital work has got the go-ahead. 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."

Structural faults were found in a culvert carrying a watercourse six metres below Stockport Road, Marple. A 400 metre length is to be replaced with an enlarged pipe, with the work carried out in March 2014 by the Council. Engineers at the Environment Agency say it will reduce the flood risk to the area and provide access to the culvert for maintenance and inspections.

The Coalition Government has pledged to invest £2.3 billion of funding for flood defences between April 2011- March 2015. Risk management authorities are now on track to deliver better protection to 165,000 homes by March 2015, exceeding the target set at the start of the spending period by 20,000.