BURY Council's cabinet members renewed their commitment to Radcliffe and Redvales in the revised flood risk management strategy for Bury.

The flood risk strategy approved at a cabinet meeting on Wednesday, April 18, identifies a number of potential schemes to reduce flood risk, the most significant of which is Radcliffe and Redvales.

These areas were among the worst affected in Bury as the River Irwell burst its banks following unprecedented rainfall on Boxing Day 2015.

The council aims to produce an overall flood risk assessment for Bury by December 2018, which will cost the council in the region of £30,000.

A further aim is to produce a flood risk asset register for Bury, also by December this year, which will cost an estimated £60,000.

One of the key aims of the strategy is for a planning application for the Radcliffe and Redvales flood defence scheme to be submitted by November 2018, with the view for works to be carried out between 2019 and 2021. The cost of the scheme could sit in the region of £2 million, plus staff time.

The council has also pledged to seek out funding for other potential schemes and to investigate local flooding incidents.

Council leader Rishi Shori said at the cabinet meeting: "'I wish to reiterate my absolute disappointment that, despite a personal trip down to London with MPs James Frith and Ivan Lewis and Councillor Alan Quinn, to make the case for the Radcliffe and Redvales scheme, lobbying for a £7 million funding gap against an overall flood defence scheme worth £37 million, Radcliffe and Redvales were not included in the latest round of Government funding.

"But we are committed and we will continue to work with our parliamentary representatives to push for funding for that scheme."

Bury Council's cabinet meeting approved a strategy to spend £600,000 to investigate schemes such as central Ramsbottom surface water. A funding application has already been submitted for an area covering Bridge Street, Carr Street, Crow Lane and Moor Road.

Other areas earmarked for investment include Sunny Bower Street in Tottington and Agecroft Road West in Prestwich, for which £10,000 would need to be sourced. The strategy also lists Kenilworth Avenue in Whitefield as a potential scheme.

Bury Council estimates it will spend £500,000 on upgrading drainage infrastructure along eight of Bury's roads with a deadline of March 2019.

An action plan has also been made to help residents understand and manage flood risks.

The council has committed to provide clear information and advice on its website, and has also called for the Environment Agency to provide printed, online and face-to-face advice for residents.

A total of 35 representations were sent to Bury Council during a consultation on the draft flood risk report.