ANGLERS have criticised flood resilience works carried out on the River Irwell last week.
Environment Agency workers were on site near Dumers Lane last Tuesday, September 13, to remove an island, which the Little Britain Anglers group says will now lead to threats to the river wall next to the J & W Whewell Ltd chemical manufacturers.
Eric Owen, the group's chairman, said: "The natural island has deflected the water away from the chemical works wall for years. Now it and the homes will be open to the full pressure of any flood waters.
"The EA haven't consulted with the people who care about the river and who know it."
A spokesman for the Environment Agency said: "The previous winter’s heavy rain and floods brought down a considerable amount of debris, gravel and rocks down the River Irwell.
"As part of our work to be ready for this year’s winter and to reduce flood risk to people and properties, we have removed shoal deposits before they are able to do any damage further downstream to potentially inaccessible and restricted locations."
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