Rochdale and Littleborough Flood Risk Management Scheme progress

Photo: Wendy Randall

Flooding in Rochdale Town Centre on Saturday 26 December 2015

Following the devastating floods on Boxing Day 2015, a project team was set up to complete an 'Outline Business Case' for flood risk management in Rochdale and Littleborough, along the River Roch Valley.

The project team is now close to completing the case, which will set out the preferred option for flood risk management.

There is currently one storage area planned for upstream of Littleborough and a further three in between Littleborough and Rochdale. Works on Green Vale Brook, Town House Brook, Ealees Brook and Buckley/Hey Brook are also planned, which include raised walls and some improvements to structures such as improvements to culverts and bridges. 

The project team also plans to install some natural flood management or ‘slow the flow’ measures to improve the level of protection which could include measures such as debris dams and woodland planting.

A spokesperson for the Environment Agency said: "We are in negotiations with landowners regarding a number of sites in the proposed flood risk management scheme.

"Once these discussions are complete the local community will be invited to a drop in to see further information on what the works might look like."

The anticipated total value of the scheme is currently estimated at £46m and the Environment Agency continues "to work with partners to try to secure the necessary funding".