Our role as the lead local flood authority

Local authorities have regulatory powers in relation to flood risk management and are responsible for managing flood risk from:

• surface water
• ground water
• ordinary watercourses

We also work with other stakeholders to manage flood risk across Trafford.

As the Local Flood Authority, we are required to produce a:

• Trafford local flood risk management strategy
• Strategic Environmental Assessment of the Trafford Local Flood Risk Management Strategy - Environmental Report
• Habitat Regulations Assessment

Watercourses

Watercourse owners, have a responsibility to maintain ordinary watercourses e.g. streams, ditches, culverts etc. that run adjacent to, though, or under their property.

 We have the power to regulate ordinary watercourses and if issues are found we can enforce the following requirements to:

• carry out repairs
• remove or modify unconsented works
• undertake routine maintenance to maintain the flow of water

If you want to carry out works which may affect the flow of an ordinary watercourse, you must apply for consent. 

We can issue consent when we've confirmed that the proposed scheme does not increase the risk of flooding or adversely impact the environment. 

Contact TraffordDrainageLLFAConsultations@amey.co.uk for further information.

If the watercourse is classed as a ‘main river’, you will need to obtain consent from the Environment Agency. 

Flooding from other sources

We work in partnership with various organisations and individuals who are responsible for managing flood risk from several sources. These include:

• The Environment Agency - main rivers, reservoirs, estuaries and the sea
• United Utilities - public and shared sewerage systems and water mains
• The Canal and River Trust
• Businesses, householders and community groups