August 2024
Flooding and Drainage update as at 16th August 2024.
The planned Multi Agency onsite meeting promised by the Environment Agency to Alicia Kearns MP and the then flood Minister on their visit in May took place on the morning of 24th July with representatives of LCC Highways, LCC Flood and Water, Environment Agency (EA), Anglian Water (AW), Internal Drainage Board (IDB) and Alicia Kearn’s assistant, Helena. Prior to the meeting LCC and SKDC officers together with myself, Cllr John Smith and Michael Thurlby (MT) walked the route of the field drains from the Main Road /Casewick Lane through to the cement works to identify where blockages existed. They were primarily under the road and where the drain had been diverted though underground pipework and are in places 100% blocked. The Parish Council has been offered assistance from LCC/SKDC to clear a number of pinch points that we identified on the route to and including the cement works.
At the Multi agency meeting AW’s Matt Moore was of the view that clearing the surface water drains in Tallington would not in itself solve all of the flooding issues. However, no agency representatives disputed that the ancient surface water system in the village was in need of replacement or at the very least cleaning out as it is 100% blocked in many parts between the rail crossing and the Old Post Office (Where the AW and LCC attempted clearance work of March 2022 stopped short through lack of funding).
Landowner MT had allowed AW to work on his land near the Rail Crossing the week prior to the meeting and this confirmed that the ancient dry stone walled/sand gravel base drain/culvert was 100% blocked as we have been insisting was the case for many years. AW have now cleaned out this section of approx. 10 metres. It was also agreed to insert a plastic pipe in this section of the dry-stone wall culvert along with an inspection chamber. This has now been done.
It was confirmed that NR had made 2 further attempts in May following the work done in March to clear the culvert under the railway but stopped the low pressure jetting due to risk of a collapse. NR have still not agreed when and if they will carry out any further work! Alicia is writing to NR to exert pressure on NR to co-operate with the other agencies and to stress the need for their urgent attention and greater involvement in facilitating the culvert to be cleared. EA will discuss with their NR contacts the urgency of this work. IDB and EA supported the need for all drain/culverts to be cleared throughout the village and beyond. AW stated that £16k was spent on the 2 large pumps back in February/ March and a further £60k on other work in village since January. The Main Road gullies are now overgrown with weeds and the Parish Council has asked that they be cleared throughout the village before winter by LCC. R Fenwick (LCC Highways) proposed new gullies with silt traps also be installed.
AW have offered a contribution of £200k toward clearing and repairing surface water drains in Tallington. LCC will contribute but no figure given. Matt Moore requested all agencies to confirm what they could contribute by the next meeting including any grant monies as the cost of a full repair / new surface water sewer is estimated now to be in the region of £1m. The EA propose to install a heavy-duty flap valve on river bank to replace the plastic one that they have been advised is too lightweight and will be potentially opened by the force of the river! It was installed only a few years ago. It should be remembered that a sandbag wall was placed at the inlet on 16 November 2023 as a precautionary measure given the increased likelihood of high flows by the EA. This was removed on 10 January 2024 and then reinstated on the 20th February after minnows were discovered in the ditch. TPC have again asked that the suggested Penstock gate also be installed to allow flap and pipe to be sealed off fully during periods of high-water risk. TPC have also asked that any work done on the river bank is not carried out in the middle of November /December as last year.
We again reminded LCC that the majority of the 25 flood affected properties had yet to receive a visit or communication from the appointed section 19 consultants following their initial visit of early April. Tom from SKDC Environment Health volunteered to co-ordinate all agency responses with assistance from Helena, Alicia’s assistant going forward. Next onsite meeting to be held late August/ early September.
The next monthly online multi-agency meeting (MAG) organised by AW is scheduled for 13th September with Anglian Water, Environment agency, LCC highways, LCC Flood and water management, The Weiland & Deepings internal drainage board etc but this MAG meeting will in future be solely focussed on Tallington. Frustratingly slow as it is talks continue with signs of some further action likely. In the meantime, we will need to agree what further actions can be taken by the Flood response group with the equipment and sand bags we now have in the event of a further Flooding risk this winter.
Stay Safe.
Philip.
Tallington Parish Council as at 16th August 2024.