Northwich Flood Defences to Undergo Pre-Winter Test

Northwich, a market town frequently impacted by significant floods, is scheduled to undergo a test of its £7 million flood defence system. This exercise is described as “vital” and will serve as pre-winter training. The Environment Agency’s test in Northwich, Cheshire, will involve the deployment of both temporary and permanent barriers, alongside fourteen floodgates. These defences were originally installed in 2016 with the purpose of safeguarding homes and businesses located near the rivers Dane and Weaver. Councillor Karen Shore of Cheshire West and Chester Council affirmed that the exercise aims to ensure various agencies are capable of acting “swiftly to protect residents” in the event of future flooding. The test is set to commence at 16:00 GMT on Sunday and conclude at 03:00 on Monday. During the exercise, floodgates will initially be closed at Waitrose and the Dane Bridge, while temporary flood barriers are simultaneously erected outside Wildwood and the town’s cinema. An Environment Agency spokeswoman confirmed that a section of London Road will be closed for the exercise, necessitating a traffic diversion. The exercise serves a dual purpose: it allows staff to inspect and maintain the defence structures, and it provides an opportunity for joint training with other agencies on how to respond to an actual flood. Mary-Rose Muncaster, the Environment Agency’s operations manager for Cheshire, emphasized the necessity for teams to be prepared “whatever the weather has in store for us.” She further added, “We train all year round but, with the increased flood risk during the wetter months ahead, we want to make sure we are equipped to respond to incidents.”