Work to wiggle a river, leaky dams and new ponds are being introduced to help safeguard Wigan towns hit by devastating floods that caused widespread damage and evacuations in 2025.
Under the banner of Wigan Greenheart, the Environment Agency, Wigan Council and the Lancashire Wildlife Trust are working on a natural flood management programme on Victoria Fields and Low Hall Nature Reserve.
The plan is urgent after homes and businesses were flooded in Platt Bridge on New Year’s Day in 2025. Water that overflowed from Borsdane Brook submerged streets and caused so much damage that residents were forced to evacuate their houses.
The month-long plan will involve the “re-meandering” or rewiggling of Brookside Brook, which was straightened by mining companies during the Industrial Revolution. The new meandering brook will slow the flow of water, as well as providing nooks, pools and embankments for wildlife.
Leaky wooden dams will temporarily store water during periods of heavy rain, reducing peak flows. New wetlands will provide another place for excess water to be stored – also providing a home and feeding ground for important wildlife.
Natural flood management will have an immediate effect and reduce the risk of flooding to communities in Platt Bridge and Abram. While not completely eliminating flooding, it will make a difference.
Environment Agency Senior Advisor, Flood Risk Management, Dermot Smith said: “"It has been great to work with our partners to implement this project which will not only reduce flood risk but improve the environment.
"Plans like these are designed to reassure people in Abram and Platt Bridge, but flooding can never be entirely ruled out. That's why residents should take steps now and sign up for free flood warnings online."
Wigan Council’s Asset Manager for Biodiversity, Kieran Sayer said: “This innovative project is a great example of partnership working to deliver multiple positive outcomes by reducing flood risk to our residents and creating important habitat for local wildlife. The overarching outcome of the project is to create a more sustainable future for everyone.”
LWT Senior Landscape Recovery Officer Dr Mark Champion said: “Creating natural solutions to flooding, means directing the flow of water to benefit wildlife while keeping it away from people’s homes. We are expecting another winter of heavy rain and the infrastructure cannot cope.”
Funding for the work at Victoria Fields has come from the Regional Flood and Coastal Committee.
The project is also supporting the wider objectives of the Hindley Integrated Water Management plan to slow, store, and manage surface water within the catchment before it reaches downstream communities, creating a more resilient and sustainable drainage network across the Hindley area.
The Environment Agency is working with Wigan Council to develop a multi-million-pound scheme to reduce flooding. That scheme is being designed now and will be ready for construction in 2030.
The Lancashire Wildlife Trust is asking its supporters and local people to back a national call by The Wildlife Trusts for the Government’s planned Water Bill. The Fix Water campaign includes essential reforms, like treating water as critical national infrastructure, which would support natural solutions to flooding. You can email your MP here