Council working group to look into Fylde floods

The move was agreed at a meeting of the Environment Health and Housing Committee and follows growing concerns over incidents of flooding increasing significantly across Fylde affecting both property and land.

Significant flooding events have been experienced over recent months at various locations across Fylde including Freckleton, Clifton, Newton, Kirkham, Elswick, Staining, Cropper Road, Moss Side and Greenhalgh, with homes, businesses, roads and other land. Park View Lytham was also badly flooded just over a year ago.

A council spokesman said: “Most of the borough is currently serviced by a combined surface water/foul drainage system which is under pressure at times of high rainfall. The majority of the system is historic and is managed and owned by United Utilities.

“The borough is low lying, and drainage in Fylde is impacted by tidal influence which inhibits surface water flow reaching both the Ribble and Wyre rivers and ultimately out to sea.

“In order to tackle the increasing flood concerns the committee agreed to establish a working group made up of both council representatives as well as members from outside the committee to ensure that a wider representation and points of view are considered.

“The working group will liaise with Risk Management Authorities, Flood Action Groups, householders, farmers and landowners together with senior officers from Fylde’s Planning and Technical Services teams.

“It is envisaged the working group will develop a comprehensive set of recommendations and proposals to provide reassurance to members, residents and landowners.

“These recommendations will be presented back to the committee during 2021.”

Coun Tommy Threlfall, chairman of the Environment, Health and Housing Committee, said: “It has become of great concern to me and the rest of the borough the flooding that we continue to experience in Fylde.

“We will ensure that the responsible authorities for managing the risk of flooding and surface water here ascertain their duties and that these are carried out correctly.

“The working group will lead on this and I look forward to a plan for better management in the borough.”