This is an update from the Environment Agency.

Flood Warning in force: River Weaver at Acton Bridge and Weaverham.

Flooding is expected for: Areas at risk include Properties along Warrington Road at Acton Bridge and Sandy Lane in Weaverham.

Immediate action required.

River levels are continuing to rise at the Pickerings Cut river gauge as a result of persistent heavy rainfall associated with Storm Christoph. Consequently, flooding to properties is expected. We believe there is a possibility of flooding for some properties close to the River Weaver along Warrington Road and Sandy Lane. Further rainfall is forecast over the next 48 hours and we expect river levels to remain high until Friday. Our incident response staff are closely monitoring weather forecasts and river levels and will issue further flood warnings if necessary. Please avoid using low lying footpaths near local watercourses, be aware of your surroundings and keep up to date with the current situation.

Storm Christoph set to bring heavy rain to Cheshire

Residents across Cheshire are being urged to be prepared following the arrival of Storm Christoph, which is set to bring heavy rain across the county this week.

A number of weather warnings are now active and Cheshire Constabulary is working closely with a number of other agencies to deal with any incidents and to reduce any disruption for the local community.

Due to significant heavy rain forecast over the next few days there is the potential for flooding across the county.

There are also a number of flood warnings in place, including the river Weaver in Northwich and Winsford.

At this stage there is no requirement to evacuate any residents. However, plans are in place should this change and anyone affected by the flood warnings are urged to keep up-to-date with the latest news on the Environment Agency website.

Superintendent Simon Parsonage from Cheshire Constabulary said: “We are working closely with other agencies in the community to monitor the situation and collectively we will do all we can to minimise any disruption across the county and keep people safety.

“All agencies continue to monitor the situation for potential for any flooding and I would encourage residents in the affected areas to monitor the alerts from the Environment Agency and take action if flooding has been forecast in your area.

“With heavy rain forecast, road closures are a possibility and anyone making an essential journey should allow extra time in case of any issues.

“We will continue to monitor the situation closely over the next 48 hours and issue regular updates through our social media accounts.”

Residents are reminded not to walk or drive through any flood water – this is often deeper than it looks, it may be moving fast and there could be hidden hazards underneath such as raised manhole covers, which can pose a danger.

Anyone concerned about potential flooding should sign up for free flood warnings on the Environment Agency’s website, follow them on Twitter@EnvAgencyNW or for the latest information or you can call the Flood Line on 0345 988 1188.

The decennial census is almost upon us.

Households across Cheshire West and Chester will soon be asked to take part in the nationwide survey of housing and the population. It has been carried out every decade since 1801, with the exception of 1941.

Information from the digital-first census will help decide how services are planned and funded in your local area. This could mean things like doctors’ surgeries, housing or new bus routes.

Households will receive a letter with a unique access code in the post, allowing them to complete their questionnaire online. Paper questionnaires will be available on request. Census day is March 21.

For more information, visit census.gov.uk.

The garden waste collection service will be suspended for a further four weeks from 11 January. This now means that garden waste collections will now resume on Monday 8 February 2021

Garden Waste is normally suspended for 4 weeks over the winter in Cheshire West and Chester, this year from 14 December 2020 resuming on 11 January 2021.

However, this is being extended until 8 February 2021 to enable CWR to use resources to support both recycling and household containers during the festive period and provide resilience to maintain the core waste and recycling kerbside collections over the anticipated exceptionally busy winter period, and as part of a proactive approach to the ongoing tiered Covid restrictions facing the borough.   

From April through to September 2020 the waste volumes collected via the domestic and recycling rounds, including food waste, increased by 17% as a result of the lockdowns and residents working from home, over the Christmas Holiday and ease of lock down restriction for a short time over Christmas, this may result in additional waste and carboard/plastic and paper recycling 

Residents will still be able to dispose of their real Christmas trees using the below methods:

• Christmas trees can be taken for reuse at:
  • Hooton Golf Club Chester Road, Hooton, Ellesmere Port, CH66 1QF
  • Whitby Park Stanney Lance Ellesmere Port, CH65 9 AQ
  • Stanney Fields Park Hinderton Road, Neston, CH64 9PE
  • Westminster Park Hough Green, Chester, CH4 8JW
  • Alexandra Park Canadian Avenue, Chester, CH2 3HH
  • Castle Park Fountain Lane, Frodsham, WA6 6SA
  • Knights Grange Sports Complex Winsford, CW7 2PT

Trees will be mulched for use throughout the year in your parks and gardens

• Charity collections

Just Helping raise money for local hospices by collecting and recycling your real tree. Find your nearest hospice to arrange a collection.

• Just Helping: Christmas tree collection

• Household Waste Recycling Centres