June 2024
Flooding and Drainage update as at 14th June 2024.
I am sorry to have to report that the blockages under the rail crossing have still not been cleared and no further work to clear the 80% blockage is as yet planned. I attended the second monthly multi agency meeting on the 14th June with Anglian Water, Environment agency, LCC highways, LCC Flood and water management, Welland & Deepings internal drainage board along with representatives from Scopwick and Heighington parishes. These meetings are a valuable vehicle to continue to inform and put pressure on Anglian Water in particular and to correct some of the excuses and misinformation that some of the senior AW representatives seem to peddle. Nick Morris of the Welland & Deeping internal drainage board has been and continues to be most helpful in providing sound knowledge-based information. However, the Environment agency, LCC and the Parish Council believe that a Tallington focussed onsite meeting is still required, as promised during the recent Flooding minister visit of 8th May, to thrash out a direct plan of action, with a common works program to repair and clear the historic and well-known failed drainage network that has been ignored for far too long with a clear understanding and acceptance of each agency’s responsibilities going forward. To quote the Environment Agency Area Flood and Coastal Risk manager “Tallington is a complex mix of fluvial, ground water, surface water and sewer flooding risks, so all partners are likely to have a role to play – EA, LCC Flood and Water, LCC Highways, AWS, Network Rail, Welland and Deepings IDB as well as landowners. It is clear that substantial funding will be needed for what is now extensive repair works and that contributions from a number of agencies will be required. There are apparently various sources of potential funding available including grant aid that has to be measured on an economic risk reward basis to achieve a sufficiently high score to release the funding. It has been agreed by all that an onsite meeting be arranged for July. In the meantime, the Parish council will continue to push and lobby all those in authority for more urgent action pending the Section 19 outcomes expected late August.
The Environment agency have CCTV the culvert through the flood embankment removing the temporary sand bags to do so. No major defects have been found to the culvert. They will share their full report with the section 19 investigation. There was a suggestion the flap may require alterations to ensure it is fully operational in all circumstances i.e., more robust and/or a penstock gate be fitted to isolate the culvert when needed. The sandbags were replaced afterward and the internal drainage board who visited site later advised as to the reasons and were in agreement with the EA actions and conclusions.
Stay Safe.
Philip.
Tallington Parish Council as at 14th June 2024.