THE Environment Agency has completed the Penketh and Whittle flood risk management scheme, which aims to protect homes and businesses from future flooding.

This is part of the campaign to prepare the public for potential flooding as the country observes 'Flood Action Week' from October 14 to 20.

This year marks the one-year anniversary of Storm Babet, which caused significant flooding across the UK.

The Environment Agency has worked to reduce flood risk in the region, including the completion of the Penketh and Whittle flood risk management scheme in July 2024.

This project involved the replacement of debris screens, construction of a new overflow relief tunnel, and the installation of a headwall and tidal gates at the confluence of Whittle Brook and Sankey Brook.

Nick Pearson, the Environment Agency flood risk manager for Greater Manchester, said: "Climate change means extreme weather events are happening more frequently, and we have already seen an unusually wet September this year.

"We can’t always predict where the rain will fall or where flooding will occur, but we do know which areas are at risk."

Mr Pearson urged the public to check their flood risk and sign up for flood warnings during Flood Action Week.

He added: "While we at the Environment Agency are stepping up our preparations to increase the nation's resilience to flooding as we head into the winter, taking small steps today can immediately improve your readiness."

The public is encouraged to take simple steps to minimise potential damage to their homes and businesses from floods.

These include checking long-term flood risk, signing up for flood warnings, and taking steps to protect against future flooding, such as storing important documents in a secure, waterproof location.

The Environment Agency has also been involved in other projects aimed at reducing flood risk.

These include construction work on the Rochdale and Littleborough flood risk management scheme, which will protect 723 homes and 489 businesses from flooding.

Natural flood management has also been introduced upstream of Littleborough.

The Environment Agency has collaborated with Moors for the Future, Severn Trent and Buxton Water on peatland restoration at Blackstone Edge and Combs Moss.

This restored moorland helps reduce flood peaks in communities at risk of flooding on the Pennine fringe.

The Environment Agency has increased its spending on asset maintenance and repair to £236 million, up from £200 million.

It has also conducted over 200,000 checks on the state of assets in the past year – up from 150,000 in an average year.

The agency is asking the public to explore longer-term property flood resilience (PFR) measures they can adopt.

The Environment Agency estimates nine out of 10 properties fitted with PFR in England saw the measures delivered via its flood and coastal risk management investment programme, ensuring better protection.

Floods Minister Emma Hardy said: "Flooding can be a destructive force that puts everything in life on hold.

"I’ve seen the impacts firsthand and am determined to ensure as much as possible others do not.

"But this Flood Action Week, we must all be proactive in taking steps to protect ourselves by checking our flood risk and signing up for flood warnings."

The public is also warned to take care on roads during floods, avoiding swollen rivers and not driving through flood water.

Just 30cm of flowing water is enough to move a car.

The Environment Agency and its partners are continuing to help communities become more resilient to extreme weather and rising sea levels.

However, authorities state that they can never stop all flood impacts.