A plan to protect West Kirby from flooding by introducing a new flood defence on the promenade has been given the thumbs up by local residents.
Wirral Council is now in the process of applying for a grant from the Environment Agency to fund the scheme.
The exact design of the flood defence has not yet been decided. A report by Wirral Council found most local people would prefer some form of structure set back from the Victorian promenade.
Cllr Bernie Mooney, Cabinet Member for Environmental Protection said: “I was really pleased to see the comments of residents and businesses, who have given their firm approval to work to safeguard life and property in the area.
“We will now take their comments on board and move forward with the complex process of securing grant funding and designing the proposed new defences.
“I am very aware that people want to see a sensitive design that maintains the beautiful promenade at West Kirby, and there will be plenty more opportunities for people to have their say on any potential design.”
The plans come following the floods, which occurred in December 2013, when gale force winds combined with high tides caused significant damage to homes and businesses along West Kirby promenade. More recently, Storm Clodagh battered the Wirral coastline.
Drop-in sessions and exhibitions were held in West Kirby throughout October 2015, with representatives of the council, Environment Agency and specialist design and engineering company AECOM on hand to talk residents through the proposals.
There will be further chances for the local community to feed back on the proposals, when detailed drawings and illustrations will be made available.
For a copy of the report and to be added to the mailing list to receive regular updates on the development of the scheme, email helengallagher@wirral.gov.uk or visit www.wirral.gov.uk/wkfloodplan.
