Residents Fill Gild Hall for Formby Floodwatch Meeting

Residents Fill Gild Hall for Formby Floodwatch Meeting.

Formby launched a new Floodwatch group on Wednesday night - 24th February, at a meeting called by concerned local residents and supported by Formby Parish Council.

A hundred people filled the Gild Hall, to hear a presentation from Bob McCann, this time not in his capacity as Chair of the Parish Council but, as someone who has experience flooding first hand.

Officers Andy Martin and Paul Wisse from Sefton Council’s Flooding and Coastal Erosion team were invited to give a short presentation explaining the responsibilities of various agencies and partners in managing flood risk in our town. Then the floor was then thrown open to questions.

The quality of questions and information provided by local residents was excellent and impressed the floodwatch team and Sefton Officers, and this will directly shape the direction and priorities of the group.

Residents were asked to identify known flooding problems by marking soggy spots on a map, in an attempt to try and establish where the group might be most effective in prioritising action.

Questions were asked about access to funding and how cross funding may be used to push drainage work higher up the Local Authorities priority list. Tipping the cost benefit ratios used by various organisations to schedule improvements, more in Formby’s favour.

Organisers are grateful for the support shown by Formby Residents and due the considerable interest will now begin putting the group on a formal footing. Formby Floodwatch will be announcing further meetings to keep you informed about progress made.