AUTHORITIES should provide ‘fortnightly updates’ on work to resolve Northwich’s flooding susceptibility.

That’s according to one councillor for the town, who added that the town faces a difficult outlook until the problem is fixed.

Labour Cllr Sam Naylor was speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service after the Environment Agency said two ‘outfalls’ were not confirmed as ‘fully operational prior to the flooding event’.

Northwich Guardian: Cllr Sam Naylor around newly-opened up section of Barons Quay

The Northwich Witton ward representative said: “We are putting pressure on leaders to come clean on what they know. We are looking forward to the 2019 report [publication] and to implement any measures from it.

“Residents can rest assured they know how we as local councillors feel and we are trying to let the authorities know how the town’s businesses and how the residents feel.

“We have not got a future until we get the flooding issue sorted out.

“I will be holding their feet to the fire and I am asking for fortnightly updates on what measures have been taken in the short term to mitigate against the problem.

“I am just as concerned as everyone else to find out what caused these incidents and put a stop to it happening again.”

He also called on Cheshire West and other agencies, such as the Canal and River Trust, to work together on finding a long-term solution to the flooding issue.

Cheshire West and Chester Council is set to reveal the final report into the 2019 floods at its cabinet meeting on March 17.

Cllr Naylor also took aim at Environment Minister George Eustice, who visited the town in the aftermath of the floods.

Cllr Naylor told the LDRS: “I thought it was the height of insensitivity for a minister to come into Northwich and not speak to councillors. 

“I do not think he spoke to the council, or the police, or any emergency service workers.

“For me, it would be common courtesy to speak to a range of people and get their view on it.”

Cllr Naylor also claimed that letters from CWAC to the MP had gone unanswered.

In response, a government spokesperson said Mr Eustice met with Northwich residents who had their homes and businesses flooded, as well as meeting with members of the Environment Agency and the emergency services.

They added that the Minister has committed to holding ‘roundtable’ meetings in areas which have had serious flooding incidents in three of the last ten years.