Tatton MP Esther McVey has offered to help local councils, the Environment Agency and Peel Holdings to develop prevention measures.
Bridgewater Canal burst for the first time in 50 years after torrential rain on New Year’s Day.
Ms McVey said: “I have spoken with chief executives at Cheshire East and Warrington Council and with Peel Holdings and made clear I will help in any way I can, whether that be with actions such as these, or lobbying government for extra money for flood prevention measures if that is what is needed.”
Tatton MP Esther McVey raises the issue of flooding in Parliament (Image: Supplied)
Ms McVey raised the issue in Parliament highlighting the Bridgewater Canal breach and other local flooding, claiming much of it is exacerbated by poor maintenance and housing developments without the necessary drainage infrastructure.
She said: “There has been a distinct lack of ongoing maintenance.
“Local councils are not unblocking blocked drains nor carrying out regular cleaning of them, and our rivers are not being dredged.
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“All of this adds to water levels rising and water not being able to drain away.
“Some residents in Cheshire West who I am sourcing sandbags for have told me they believe the flooding in their properties were preventable had there been better maintenance.”
Ms McVey has been meeting residents hit by flooding in Wilmslow and people in Little Bollington and Lymm affected by the Bridgewater canal collapsing.
She has also spoken to boatowners living on the canal who are now stuck.
Residents and canal users told Ms McVey that the canal is not maintained, but simply fixed when something breaks.
Flooding minister Emma Hardy thanked Ms McVey for raising the issue and said: “There is a concern around the canal.
“It is important to look at lots of different things including cleaning out drains where appropriate.
“There are many things that need to be done together the more we can do and take in some of these small actions, it will have a cumulative effect and will help the situation.”