Council to carry out drainage investigation works to reduce flood risk at Islands Brow

Article date: 12 June 2023

Following on from a successful project in 2020 to remove silt from more than a thousand metres of Rainford Brook which has resulted in fewer flooding incidents on College Street - the council will be undertaking drainage investigation works at nearby Islands Brow on Wednesday 14 June which will involve cleaning, draining and fixing a pump close to the railway bridge.

To safely facilitate the works given the narrow width of the bridge, a road closure in both directions at the bridge will be required for the duration of the works which is expected to last two days, with advanced warning and diversion signs in place.

Welcoming the works, Councillor Seve Gomez-Aspron MBE, St Helens Borough Council's Cabinet Member for Strategic Transport said: "We've experienced frequent flooding in this area over the years which has had a negative impact on businesses and residents due to lengthy road closures, so it's important to carry out maintenance such as this to mitigate the risk long-term.

"The work carried out in the area over the past few years is clear to see. Key roads into St Helens Town Centre like College Street and Merton Bank Road which were constantly shut for days on end due to flooding haven't had many problems of late and it has even opened up cycling routes along Sankey Canal which lays claims to being the first modern canal in England.

"The short-term inconvenience of closing Islands Brow for a couple of days while these essential works are carried out is largely outweighed by the outcome of ensuring this road is protected from incidents such as flooding as we look to achieve a key council priority of creating a safe and well-connected network which supports economic growth development and decarbonisation ambitions."