A NEW flood relief scheme and stopping houses being built on flood plains could stop future flooding, says MP Andy Burnham.

The Leigh MP will meet with the Environment Agency and the council tonight, Thursday, in a public meeting to give answers as to why Leigh was affected so badly.

On Boxing Day areas such as Lilford, Westleigh, Elmridge and Greenways in Leigh were devastated by flooding, leaving many residents homeless.

It was believed that the flood basin in Lilford Park failed and an investigation into why this happened has been taken on by Mr Burnham.

After discussions with the Environment Agency, a scheme that was spoken about 10 years ago has been put back on the table to put extra capacity upstream in Hindsford.

Mr Burnham said: “I have been told that the flood basin in Lilford Park is full to its capacity and actually can’t be made any bigger.

“The scheme to make extra capacity upstream in Hindsford was spoken about years ago, but it was deemed unnecessary at the time. That is quite clearly not the case any more.

“If we could let more water upstream, the less there would be coming into Leigh.”

The shadow home secretary also said ‘much tougher rules’ need to be put in place for building houses on flood plains.

He added: “It has got to stop.

“It’s happening in our area and other constituencies.

“There is such a rush to build houses and it is not being looked into properly.

“There is actually a new housing scheme in Golborne and it was under water over Christmas.

“Residents need peace of mind that this isn’t going to happen again and that is why something needs to change to make sure of that.”

The meeting will in the Turnpike Centre in Leigh will start at 7pm.