Decision ref
0100 2024/25
Decision date
26/03/2025
Portfolio
Transport and Environment
Wards
Blackbrook
Title
West End Road Flood Alleviation Scheme - NFM Sankey Valley Slow the Flow
Summary
West End Road – Sankey Valley has experience persistent flooding issues reported since 2000. Council has developed a flood alleviation scheme and successfully secured funding from the Environment Agency. Approval is required to accept the funding allocations and permit a direct award for the delivery of the scheme to George Cox & Sons Ltd (an SME) via a call-off arrangement under the ‘Rochdale Council - Framework Agreement for Highway Works’.
Purpose
To seek approval to accept £155,000 Frequently Flooded Allowance and £85,000 Flood Defence Grant in Aid to add to a previously allocated award of £30,000 FDGiA all from the Environment Agency to undertake a proposed West End Road Flood Alleviation Scheme at a total scheme cost of £270,000. Further, to seek approval to permit a direct award for the delivery of the scheme to George Cox & Sons Ltd (an SME) via a call-off arrangement under the ‘Rochdale Council - Framework Agreement for Highway Works’.
Background
West End Road – Sankey Valley has experience persistent flooding issues reported since 2000. The flooding has affected 11 residential properties, 3 businesses, a United Utilities pumping station, the Highways Key Route Network (KRN), and public footpaths, thereby disrupting access and essential services.
An Outline Business Case (OBC) has been submitted to the EA with the primary objective of reducing the flood risk. A preferred scheme has been developed, requiring a £155,000 FFA and a £115,000 FDGiA funding allocation (a new grant award of £85,000 to be combined with a previous FDGiA allocation of £30,000) from the EA leading to a total cost of £270,000 for the preferred scheme.
The preferred scheme aims to enhance flood resilience in the surrounding areas. While it is understood that the scheme will not completely resolve the flooding issues, it is expected to provide significant benefits. The West End Road Flood Alleviation scheme will see the delivery of storage measures to address flooding from surface water and river sources, building on a previously installed natural flood risk management scheme. The scheme also includes the implementation of Natural Flood Management (NFM) solutions, specifically ‘Leaky Dams’, at West End Road in the Sankey Valley Catchment to alleviate flooding issues and is identified by the Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA) as a priority for the financial years 2024/25 to 2026/27.
The scheme once delivered will enable the reduction of flood risk to 11 properties, 3 businesses and 2 highways, as well as improving the environment and delivery biodiversity net gain on site.
George Cox & Sons Ltd is identified as the preferred contractor it is therefore recommended that the West End Road Flood Alleviation Scheme - NFM Sankey Valley Slow the Flow project as described above is issued as a direct award to George Cox & Sons Ltd via a call-off arrangement under the ‘Rochdale Council - Framework Agreement for Highway Works’, supported by STAR Procurement.
Conclusion
In response to residents and businesses concerns and the distressing impact that regular flooding events can create, Council has worked hard to design a suitable flood alleviation scheme to build flood resilience and has also successfully secure external funding to cover the total cost of the scheme. This DED seeks approval to accept the funding allocations from the Environment Agency and also permit a direct award to George Cox & Sons Ltd to deliver the scheme.
Risk Implications
The St Helens Local Flood Risk Management Strategy (LFRMS) sets out how the Council will endeavour to manage flood risk across its administrative area. The LFRMS follows the Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (SFRA). The existing flood risk is currently managed by the LLFA in collaboration with other Risk Management Authorities. This relates to the frequent flooding experienced at West End Road, following several historical flooding events since early 1970 and 2000s. The Flood Alleviation Scheme has been designed to reduce the flood risk at this location. A risk register has been produced for the scheme (please refer to Appendix N) and is based on experience gained on similar schemes.
Measures to Redress Risk
The scheme has been designed to reduce longstanding flood risk at this location. The external funding now secured, and the subject of this DED will cover the total cost of delivering the flood alleviation scheme providing enhanced flood resilience. The Risk Register sets out mitigating action against identified risks.
Declarations Of Interest
None
Equality Impact Assessment
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More information
Please contact David Saville on 01744 676148
