January 2026
Tallington Flood & Drainage repairs update as at 15th January 2026.
As previously reported Network Rail contractors successfully installed a concrete access chamber downstream of the level crossing barrier before Xmas and attempted to jet the upstream section (under the level crossing barrier) which was unsuccessful due to the Jeter digging into the invert which is made up of granular material. At the 7th January MAG meeting NR advised that If jetting had not been stopped this may have undermined the stone box walls and made the situation worse. Furthermore, CML have since tried to clear the culvert by manual rodding with some success and have removed quite a lot of material out of the stone box system but were unable to clear it completely. They believe this will have improved the flow through the system but a further CCTV investigation will be undertaken. Further significant works are therefore still required to clear the culvert fully and CML and the NR works delivery team will be producing a design options report to allow a business case to be put forward to access yet further funding. Once an option has been selected from the DDL a design will be instructed for the works to progress. The emergency pump is still in place.
Clearing of the surface water sewer/culvert on Main road – a date is yet to be confirmed to raise the 4 kerbs along the Main road and Bainton road, install the gully opposite the Old post office and the balance of new silt trap gullies. The rouitine cleanse of the highway drainage assets throughout the village was completed on the 13th December. Anglian Water have yet to update the MAG team on their plans for the remainder of the clearance works that are required to the Main road culvert.
Clearing of Mill Lane lateral 8” blocked Drain – Anglian Water returned on the 22nd December. Using a Camera survey and a chisel jetter they cleared the remaining blockage located next to the MG footpath entrance where a manhole has been covered by the tarmac path. Having watched the video pass through the full length of Mill Lane I can confirm that it is now clear. However, it is apparent that the National Grid repair after the contractor broke the pipe that exposed the extent of the blockage in July with a 6” diameter pipe instead of the 8” could cause problems in the future? Also, there is evidence of cracking in the pipes approaching the repair along with other minor repairs further down Mill Lane most likely done by National Grid in November 2023 and when the backfill was carried out in July this year. AW will be raising this with National grid.
Casewick Lane Collapsed culvert under road reconstruction. – Following the successful installation of the new plastic culvert under the lane on the 2nd December, the water flow from here across Casewick fields, under the rail tracks, into the cement works and out towards Barholm has been improved. However, blockages under a service road in the cement works and also where it exits the cement works require further clearance. SKDC are arranging a site meeting with the cement works management, land owners, Internal drainage board and the council to arrange further clearance works into and out of the site to tackle these restrictions and clear their open ditches that are again full of rubbish. SKDC have confirmed that the open culvert and under road culverts along Casewick Lane and under St Lawrence Way Road have now been added to their annual maintenance schedules.
Maxey Cut Bank erosion works – Regrettably work to repair the embankment upstream of Tallington Bridge is still pending: The Parish council continue to press the EA to urgently address our concerns and their Field Manager has promised to provide a more detailed update by the 20th January. This is at the location known locally as ‘the waterfall’ and is erosion that was discovered after trees growing in the embankment were removed.
Additional measures around River flap valve – The EA continue to monitor the new flap valve to ensure it is working correctly. The Parish council has passed onto the EA our concerns along with those of many residents who have raised doubts over its long-term effectiveness – thankfully, it has not been subjected yet to a raging river this winter. The EA have repeated that the sandbags and sheeting are still available onsite to block off the pipe if needs be. A winter bung has, we are told been ordered. The village flood team also continue to monitor the situation.
As and when new information becomes available the Parish council website will be updated. The next MAG meeting is on the 4th March 2026.
Stay safe. Philip. Tallington Parish council as at 15th January 2026.