MORE than 13,000 homes are at risk of flooding in Warrington, according to Friends of the Earth.

The campaign group analysed data released by the Environment Agency today which showed 5,197 homes in Warrington North and 8,521 in Warrington South are at significant risk.


Friends of the Earth’s north west regional campaigner Helen Rimmer said: “Flooding is devastating for anyone that is affected by it and as a country we must do much more to prepare for the impacts of climate change.

"Without proper investment in flood defences, hundreds of thousands more homes could be put at risk of flooding.

“Prevention is better than cure, so it's also vital that the Government redouble efforts to stop climate change becoming worse.

“We are asking Warrington’s MPs to support the call for better flood defences, for more investment in renewables and to make homes energy efficient, and to reject risky fracking and unconventional fossil fuels which will make climate change worse.”

The Government's own Climate Change Risk Assessment estimates that almost one million homes in the country could be at significant flood risk by the 2020s, up from the 370,000 currently at significant risk nationwide.

But Friends of the Earth say the Government is spending £500 million less on flood defences than is required to keep pace with climate change, according to its own advisors, while cutting spending on energy efficiency and bringing uncertainty to renewable energy projects.

Warrington South MP David Mowat said: "The Government has already acted to protect people in Warrington from flooding.

"The new Victoria Park defences not only make the area look much nicer, but just before Christmas they protected homes on the Latchford side when the Mersey burst its banks.

"Without the £20million spent over the last 3 years over 1400 houses in Latchford would have flooded in November.

“Of course we can and should do more – I’ve been lobbying for money to protect homes in Great Sankey and Penketh from flooding – but flood defences have to compete with schools, hospitals and transport infrastructure for investment.

“Low carbon electricity is also part of the solution which is why it is vital we make faster progress in getting our nuclear programme under way.”