The Flood Hub

There around 480 properties at risk of flooding along Borsdane Brook in the Hindley and Platt Bridge area. On Boxing Day 2015, 44 homes were flooded from Borsdane Brook. The Environment Agency have secured government funding to investigate ways to reduce this risk. As well as being flooded from the brook, areas are at risk of surface water flooding. This is where heavy rainfall overwhelms the drainage systems and water cannot drain away quickly enough leading to flooding.

The Environment Agency is working with Wigan Council, Bolton Council, and United Utilities to understand the flooding sources and issues from the brook and surface water so that integrated options to reduce all forms of flood risk can be developed.

The project team are keen to ensure that our proposals not only reduce flood risk but also improves the environment.

Computer models are being used to help understand the flood risk more clearly. With a good understanding of the risk of flooding the Environment Agency will analyse different options and then share these with the community in 2024. After they have selected a preferred option, they will develop a business case for government funding allowing them to build a scheme. The Environment Agency will need to investigate ground conditions, assess the impact on the environment, do detailed designs, obtain planning permission and finally appoint a contractor to undertake construction. Following this, if the project is viable and they can obtain enough funding to support it, construction will begin in 2027.

• Hindley and Platt Bridge Flood Risk Newsletter December 2023

Residents and others interested in the project will be kept up to date by updates to the Flood Hub, newsletters, and community drop-in sessions.

If you wish to be kept up to date or receive newsletters by email about this project, please email floodresiliencegmmc@environment-agency.gov.uk