Picture by Matt Sayle TOWN councillors insist that now is not the time to start a blame game around the flooding which hit Northwich last month. Storm Christoph left much of the town centre hit by devastating floods, while residents were evacuated from houseboats, Weaver Court retirement village, Acton Bridge and Sandy Lane, in Weaverham. Speaking at Monday s Northwich Town Council meeting, members called on all responsible parties to get round the table and make decisive action – rather than simply pass the buck. Cllr Andrew Cooper, who sits on both the town council and Cheshire West and Chester Council, said: I m not a hydrological engineer or an expert on sewerage systems, but luckily we know people who are and they need to get their heads to this and sort it out.
Cllr Louise Gittins is urging the Government to provide support after the floods. Image: Matt Sayle THE leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council has called on the Government to support residents affected by last week s flooding. In a letter to George Eustice, Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Cllr Louise Gittins stresses that action is needed to protect the borough from future flooding. Northwich, Winsford, Acton Bridge and Weaverham were all hit by heavy rain brought by Storm Christoph last week. More than 100 residents were evacuated from flooded homes across Cheshire West, while 39 businesses were affected in Northwich alone, and Cllr Gittins is demanding action to stop the same devastation happening again.
How Northwich looked this time last week. Image: Matt Sayle THIS time last week, Northwich residents and business owners woke up to the most devastating floods seen for decades. Storm Christoph deluged the town with heavy rain – and a brief but thick flurry of snow – leaving disruption and destruction in its wake. In the week since, the community has rallied together to support residents forced to leave their homes and business owners whose premises were ruined. Now, two of the Cheshire West and Chester Council members whose wards were badly affected by the storm have issued a joint statement calling for action to prevent another repeat of the floods.
NORTHWICH homeowners are being warned of rats seeking refuge in their homes following the recent floods. The town was hit with severe flooding last week in the aftermath of heavy rain from Storm Christoph, with homes and businesses suffering water damage. But a national trade body for pest control is warning that residents should now also be on guard against unwanted lodgers. The British Pest Control Association (BPCA), is urging householders to take preventative steps now to avoid the risk of an infestation. Dee Ward-Thompson, BPCA Technical Manager, said: “Each year winter weather forces some rats to seek warmer, indoor spaces near a source of food, but flooding can drive even more rats out of their burrow, forcing them to find a new place to nest.
Northwich was flooded last week. Image: Matt Sayle POLICE are urging residents and businesses affected by the recent flooding to be aware of rogue traders. Communities in Northwich, Acton Bridge and Weaverham were left devastated last week when persistent heavy rain left homes and business premises under water. Now the flooding has subsided, residents and business owners have been returning to their homes to assess the damage and determine what work needs to be done. Det Supt Paul Beauchamp, of Cheshire Police’s crime operations unit, said: “We understand that residents and businesses affected by the recent flooding will be keen to get back to some kind of normality as soon as possible.