A public meeting's been called over controversial Environment Agency plans to close the Crossens pumping station.

Local councillors Paul Blane and John Baldock and The Banks Residents Association have organised the meeting at St Stephen's Social Club, Hoole Lane, Banks at 7.00pm on 28 November.

Said Coun. Blane: “It's designed to raise full awareness of the proposals of the Environment Agency.

"It is important that residents of Banks and other affected areas understand the consequences of the proposals which include likely flooding, soaring insurance costs and loss of land use and value.

"If the Environment Agency did not want to raise awareness of their proposals, then we have responsibility to do it for them, and I urge as many people as possible to attend the meeting and find out exactly what the proposals are.

"Furthermore I urge all residents to read the proposal document and respond using the feedback forms supplied by the Environment Agency. Many local councillors are challenging these proposals, but we need people to help us, by completing the feedback forms.”

The Proposed Strategic Plan presented by the Environment Agency looks at ways to save money within Rural Areas. As part of the proposals the EA will look at the possibility of closing the Lower Alt and Crossens pumping stations, and allow natural lands to act as flood plains and is asking for feedback on these proposals by 16th December.

Coun. Blane who lives in Banks told QLocal: "The idea to use grade one agricultural lands as a natural flood plain as suggested seems preposterous.

"North Meols (Banks) is a food production area, with many businesses, jobs and livelihoods associated to the Industry.

"In a time when home grown food production is at its lowest, are we really to consider losing some of the country’s best food production lands!

"The proposed plan fails to even mention the economic value of the land let alone the devastating impact this will have if their proposals go ahead.”

He is also bemused by the lack of consultation, adding: “Three weeks ago, this document was presented to me by a member of the public.

"At first I thought it was some sort of joke, but soon learned it was nothing of the sort. I contacted both North Meols and Hesketh with Becconsall Parish Council Clerks of which I am a member of both and soon discovered they were unaware of the proposals.

"I then contacted the County Councillor for my area, who I found out had received the document at the same time as me.

"How can any consultation which could affect the lives and businesses of so many not consult with the Local Parish Councils, Borough Councillor, and County Councillor, and from what I have found out even the representing Member of Parliament. I have spoken to local growers, residents and community groups and found they knew nothing about it either; this is a lack of professionalism at the highest level," he claimed.

"The EA has given us till the 16th December to respond, I have called upon them to extend this date and start again.”

The Strategic Plan and Formal Consultation form can be accessed at https://consult.environment-agency.g...s_consultation

with the greatest respect there has been no lack of professionalism by the EA ... I remember reading about these proposals three or four years ago in the Champion when, if memory serves, it was its front page lead story.

Back then, there were plan to close the River Alt pumping station and have a natural lake in parts of west Lancashire if and when there was flooding.

A well informed local councillor will read and keep all the local papers - or at least have a decent cutting's file .... and there is always the internet!

Who said that the pumping station at Crossens is to be closed? I understand the concern about flood planing across the area but I have read the consultation document a few times and can only see the recommendation below.

The extract below is taken from the EA report and shows one of the draft recommendations. Not sure where people are getting the news from that the pumping station will close. The report states as an ongoing recommendation to maintain existing pumping stations.


C) By Spring 2015 the Environment Agency will make a significant change from
current practice, by either reducing or stopping Land Drainage work within the
catchment. To implement this major change we will:-
i. launch a Debating Period with the local and farming communities until Spring
2013, focussed on the best way forward for land management and subject to
Government policy
ii. implement a Transition Period whereby we will continue to undertake land
drainage activities with the reducing level of funding allocation until Spring 2015.
iii. implement the outcomes discussed and agreed / accepted from Spring 2013 to
Spring 2015 We anticipate that in the first 18 months this will be to debate and
determine the best way forward within the Lower Alt and Crossens catchment and
a further 2 years to implement any agreed actions.
iv. continue to undertake land drainage where legally required to do so.
v. maintain existing pumping stations to a working and safe standard
vi. establish a River Alt with Crossens Pumped Drainage Catchment Care Officer to
assist and provide some support to stakeholders through the Transition Period.
We will investigate funding opportunities to carry out a survey of the Peat Levels to provide
information to support possible land management and land drainage changes.

At the same time as HMG are talking about saving money here, I believe there are plans to spend Billions upgrading the London sea defences. Money will always be found for that part of the world.

I would recommend not to buy a new house in this proposal.

http://www.qlocal.co.uk/southport/ne...n-50689368.htm

Walk there regularly and during heavy rain if the pumping station is not draining the water level gets very high. Wouldn't take long to overspill onto the neighbouring land.