December 2024
Flooding and Drainage update as at 16th December 2024.
Copies of a redacted version of the LCC section 19 report have now been received by the majority, but not all of the properties affected by the flooding of January 24. A copy of this redacted report has been posted on the Parish council website. The Parish council have brought a number of errors/ incomplete date ranges to the attention of the LCC Flood and water team. 25 properties affected by flooding had been reported to the consultants and LCC in the Parish council’s detailed report of 5th April. Some owners had missed the LCC Floods and Water reporting deadline and in one case failed to file a report due to repeated difficulties in completing the online report mechanism. The report now only refers to 24 properties. Under section 4.6 Network Rail Surface Water Drainage assets it states ‘It has been reported that the surface water sewer which flows under the East Coast Main Line rail crossing at Tallington was not free flowing. It is understood that between the 0303/03/2024 Network Rail’s contractors CML carried out a scheduled 5-year culvert clean and condition survey, identifying a surface water sewer collapse/blockage. It is also understood that works to reinstate this section of surface water sewer has now been completed.’ As NR eventually conceded at their first attendance at the September MAG meeting it has not and 10 metres still remain blocked! Also, it was 6 years since NR contractors had supposedly carried out their last culvert clean due to the pandemic.
At the 11th December Multi Agency online meeting it was confirmed that Network Rail had installed the up and over temporary pump solution proposed at the October meeting at the rail crossing w/e 23rd November but as of the 12th December had yet to provide a power source! NR failed to attend the December MAG meeting and failed to provide the promised update on the power supply.
Anglian Water confirmed that they had started to clean more of the surface water system throughout the Main road.
Land owners have already cleared ditches towards West Deeping and from Barholm working back towards the cement works and the village. Due to highway restrictions LCC have been asked to assist with the section from the Whistle stop that is still full of road debris, waste etc. The Casewick Lane ditches have also been cleared. LCC highways confirmed they would now be clearing the under-road culverts on St Lawrence Way and Casewick Lane before Xmas. The promised CCTV survey of the whole surface water system should take place early in the new year.
The EA confirmed that the clearance work of trees and vegetation in the Maxey Cut had been delayed by the recent high river flows. The new heavy duty river flap valve work is on order, in the meantime the culvert remains sandbagged /poly sheeted shut.
The EA have yet to complete the grant in aid calculations based on the homes flooded. This will be presented by the January meeting. The EA large pump for the river bridge remains on stand by for speedy deployment if and when needed. The communication links with all the agencies is substantially improved on this time last year.
The next LCC Floods and Water scrutiny committee meeting is Monday 20th January 2025 in Lincoln. Cllr Ashley Baxter has suggested that it would be helpful if some residents could attend.
The next Tallington online multi-agency meeting (MAG) is scheduled for the 8th January 2025. Our MP Alicia Kearns has asked NR for speedier action and greater commitment to clearing the blockage under the rail crossing. Can I again urge residents previously affected by flooding or a near miss to consider purchasing the specialist flood defence barriers previously recommended if they have not already done so. More sandbags have and will be provided by LCC but the barriers offer greater protection and are more easily handled.
I wish you and your families a safe and prosperous New Year. Let’s hope for substantially less rainfall than we have had over the last 12 months.
Take care. Philip. Tallington Parish council as at 16th December 2024.