Flood risk probe vital for Wirral Waters scheme

Nov 30 2009 by Liam Murphy, Liverpool Daily Post

Wirral Waters

A MAJOR report on flood risks in Wirral calls for extra investigations to be carried out before the proposed £4.5bn Wirral Waters scheme goes ahead.

The wide ranging Wirral Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (SFRA) assesses potential flooding problems from rising tides and overflowing rivers across the borough.

The report also warns that because of the long-term nature of the Wirral Waters proposals – up to 50 years – issues of climate change and the effect of rising sea levels should also be taken into consideration.

Particularly highlighted in the report are key development areas including Wirral Waters, New Brighton and West Kirby, but risks in Leasowe, Moreton and Greasby are also raised.

The SFRA said: “The main flood risk locations on Wirral are at Leasowe (fluvial and potential tidal flood risk), Greasby (fluvial and surface water/sewer) and Birkenhead Docks.

“With regard to Birkenhead Docks, Environment Agency information indicates that there is little current tidal flood risk (this may change as sea level rise occurs), but that there is significant fluvial flood risk from the outfall of The Birket through the dock system.”

Last year Wirral suffered flooding after heavy rainfall and the River Birket, which flows across the north of the peninsula from Meols through Moreton, Leasowe and Bidston before heading underground at Birkenhead, breached its banks.

Although the flood risk report questioned the data of the current Environment Agency Flood Zone maps which show flood risk to Birkenhead Docks, and said the “veracity of this is questionable”, it recommends that because of the importance of the Wirral Waters proposals, the issue of flood risk “should be quickly resolved by Wirral Council, Environment Agency or the developer”.

The report also said: “Subject to resolving the perceived fluvial flood risk issue, Wirral Waters appears to be an appropriate development. However, careful consideration of the impacts of climate change should be included.

“As this is a long-term project, decisions on the appropriateness of this development or potential mitigation through the design of the development should be kept under review.”