Council vows to take action in aftermath of Lancaster and Morecambe floods

Immediate action will be taken to help prevent further floods to homes and businesses across the District, Lancaster City Council has pledged.

A motion was passed unanimously by the council last night (Wednesday) after torrential rain led to widespread flooding across Lancaster, Morecambe and the surrounding area on Thursday August 20.

More than 70mm of rain fell in a two hour period causing flooding in a number of areas of Lancaster including the city centre, Marsh, Bowerham, Greaves and Castle wards, and other parts of the District including Morecambe.

The motion said this left "dozens of families and business owners dealing with the horrible aftermath of flooding".

Lancaster City Council has pledged to host a public event to update residents on how they, and other agencies, plan to tackle the issue to protect properties, as part of a number of agreed actions to combat flooding.

The motion was brought to a full council meeting at Morecambe Town Hall last night, by Councillor Mandy Bannon of the Greens.

Councillor Bannon spoke about how "drains could not cope and roads basically turned into a river" in parts of Lancaster on August 20 and how "water was being pumped out of homes".

She thanked fire crews and council staff for their work on the day.

"The emergency services, our council staff and other agencies were quick to support residents and businesses during the flooding and afterwards with clearing up the debris," said the motion.

"County Council lead officers and other organisations’ staff have expressed support to help prevent future occurrences.

"On behalf of residents, we express our thanks to all agencies involved in dealing with this flooding event and its aftermath."

The full motion calls for the council Chief Executive, Mark Davies, to:

"Help focus partner organisations and the public on flood prevention actions and measures to protect properties and businesses as a priority

"Press Lancashire County Council and United Utilities to bring forward the highest-priority short and medium-term Surface Water Management Plan actions still outstanding, in particular highways drainage improvements and gulley cleaning on the main overland flow routes, the Retrofit SuDS / Pocket Parks feasibility work and early pilot schemes and The Mill Race Strategy and outstanding survey work

Flooding on Marine Road, Morecambe, on August 20 2026

"Press Lancashire County Council to take an active strategic role to co ordinate and deliver recommendations from the Investigation Report, or other measures, to reduce flood risk to the properties affected on 20th August 2026

"Host a public event inviting officers from County Highways, United Utilities and the Environment Agency to provide information on actions being carried out to mitigate against flooding, advice and support for property owners to increase flood resilience

"Prioritise and promote Property Flood Resilience for the most vulnerable properties and businesses, working with the Environment Agency (EA) and Lancashire County Council to access available DEFRA funding (building on the existing EA’s PFR project at Bowerham)

"Promote awareness of Community Emergency Planning and to advocate for a clear public-awareness campaign on how to 'Protect Your Properties'."

The motion was seconded by Councillors Paul Stubbins, Gina Dowding and Sally Maddocks, of the Greens, and had cross-party support in the town hall chamber on Wednesday night.

"We will be supporting this," said Councillor Keith Budden, of the Conservatives.

"Anyone who has had their homes and properties flooded will look for our support."

Claire Cozler of Labour said: "It's not only Lancaster city centre where we have these problems. In my ward (Heysham North) there is a problem with surface water being able to drain. Half the drains have been tarmac'd over."

Her colleague Joanne Ainscough said. "It wasn't just Lancaster. It was across the whole District. It affected businesses such as The Brittlestar in Morecambe, and other businesses who had to close on that day. We see a lot of flooding under the bridge at Torrisholme."

Councillor Andrew Gardiner of the Conservatives said there had been "major flooding issues in Middleton and Overton".

Councillor Bannon, summing up the motion, said: "I am sorry for missing anybody out, this is a districtwide problem."

The motion also recognises that flooding can be caused by surface water runoff caused by high intensity rainfall when water is ponding or flowing over the ground surface before it enters the underground drainage network or watercourse; or cannot enter it because the network is full to capacity, so causing 'pluvial' flooding. This may also occur if access to the network is blocked (ie blocked gullies/drains)

There can also be flooding from groundwater ie below the surface of the ground and in direct contact with the ground or subsoil; sewer flooding – when the capacity of underground systems is exceeded due to heavy rainfall which can cause water to surcharge from manholes, chambers or gullies; and flooding from open-channel and culverted watercourses, which receive most of their flow from inside the urban area and perform an urban drainage function.

The motion said that "Lancaster residents and property owners in particular need to be active partners in future flood prevention" and "the city council must take an active role in facilitating flood prevention".

It also said: "The public need reassurance that County Highways (responsible for drains) and United Utilities (responsible for sewers) are focusing their efforts on areas susceptible to flooding – e.g clearing blockages in the system which are preventing surface water run-off.

"This flooding event will be investigated by the LLFA (Lead Local Flood Authority, Lancashire County Council) and a report of the findings of the investigation will be published.

Flood water under Torrisholme Bridge on August 20 2026

"It should be noted that the city council is not responsible for directly managing flooding from surface water and that the Lead Local Flood Authority has a significant role to play in bringing forward any remedial and resilience measures as well as coordinating and managing local flood risk.

"The motion will help identify measures that can be implemented to make sure that our communities are better protected, better prepared and more resilient in the future."

Lancashire Flood Risk Partnership, which manages flood risk across the county, meets regularly to discuss issues.

Mutli-agency operational meetings also take place in Lancaster where specific issues and investigation findings are considered.

In December 2015, Storm Desmond brought a "one in 100 year flood" to the District, leaving 5500 homes without power, and had a devastating effect on 332 homes and businesses that were flooded.

Following Storm Desmond, enhanced flood defences costing over £12m were completed in May 2021 to provide protection from the River Lune.

This was funded by the Environment Agency and Lancaster City Council. 

Read more: VIDEO: Clean-up under way after Lancaster and Morecambe homes and businesses hit by flooding - Beyond Radio

LIVE UPDATES: Businesses closed and roads flooded as heavy rain hits Lancaster and Morecambe area - Beyond Radio