Memorandum submitted by Jeremy Chamberlayne
(FL 15)
CONSULTATION ON
RECENT SEVERN
FLOODING
We can expect higher levels of flooding due
to at least three factors.
— Increasing run-off from development—impermeable
surfaces.
— More obstructions in the floodplain—including
flood protection banks, placed too close to the main river channel.
I imagine that some protection from rising sea
levels would be provided by the proposed Severn Barrage.
The main way to reduce the other two impacts
is improved flood flow capacity. Starting from the estuary, say,
at Longney, a wide flood relief channel should be cut, to about
one metre above normal Summer river level and running to upstream
of Elmore Back, (the former washland could remain protected).
Then, on the West bank, the protection bank should be set back
and the area between it and the main channel lowered. This could
run northwards to Over Bridge (A40), providing alleviation in
the area currently blocked by the Hempsted landfill site. (How
did planners and DoE ever decide to consent this blockage in the
floodplain, immediately downstream of a vulnerable city like Gloucester
and all its electrical infrastructure in the floodplain?)
Then a relief channel should be cut from below
Over Bridge, across Alney Island, under the road and rail viaducts,
to the East channel. Northwards (upstream) from Upper Parting,
where they exist, artificial banks should be set back on one side
or the other, especially on the Sandhurst side, opposite Ashleworth
Quay, which causes a serious bottleneck.
This treatment should continue at least as far
as Tewkesbury—probably to Worcester.
Jeremy Chamberlayne
August 2007
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