Strategic flood risk management
Across Greater Manchester, flooding is the most pressing current climate risk.
Some areas, particularly in the south of the city, are at quite significant risk of river (fluvial) flooding.
In places, large scale defences such as walls and flood water retention basins have been constructed to manage the risk of river flooding.
Moreover, according to national broadscale flood risk mapping, most of the city is at risk of surface water (pluvial) flooding. This source of flooding can be difficult to map, predict and to plan for.
Greater Manchester’s Strategic Flood Risk Assessment
Flood risks will only increase with climate change, a challenge that will be exacerbated by the pressures from ever intensifying urbanisation.
A Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (SFRA) is an independent analysis of the risk posed by flooding from all sources. The 2011 version is the most up to date SFRA for Manchester.
The SFRA identifies key strategic flood risks – particularly those with the potential to contribute to or affect its economic, social and environmental sustainability. The assessment also identifies previous, existing and planned interventions delivered or to be delivered by various flood risk management authorities.
The SFRA targets interventions in the areas that present the most significant risk now and in the future. It also takes into account the ability of local communities to prepare for, respond to and recover from flooding, in managing residual risk, and considering adaptive approaches to flood risk management in a time of climate change.
Find out more about Strategic Flood Risk Assessment on the Manchester City Council website
