Memorandum submitted by Dr Susan Juned
(FL 56)
FLOODING IN THE TOWN OF ALCESTER, WARWICKSHIRE
IN 2007
SUMMARY
This submission outlines the recent history
of flooding in the town of Alcester, Warwickshire with some recommendations
that might help to prevent or alleviate future floods and which
may help residents should such an event recur.
RECENT FLOODING
HISTORY:
1. Alcester is a historic town. Founded
in Roman times it was established at the confluence of the Arrow
and the Alne rivers. Historically it has flooded many times until
flood defence banks were built around the town in the 50s or 60s.
2. I have lived in Alcester for just over
22 years. In that time the town has had two serious river flooding
events in 1998 and 2007, but has also had numerous smaller, more
localised floods caused by an antiquated and inadequate drainage
system and, in some parts of the town, run off from poorly maintained
land drains.
3. In 1998 the river breached a part of
the flood defences where construction had taken place and where
the level of the defences had been eroded. In addition to water
from the river the situation was exacerbated by severe problems
with the drainage within the town, by sewage from old-style combined
storm water and sewage drains and an inadequate pumping station.
Over 70 houses were affected.
4. In 2001, further flooding occurred caused
by run off and inadequate drainage.
5. In 2003, the Environment Agency paid
for maintenance work to the flood defences, which had, over the
years, been eroded. In several places householders had dismantled
parts of the defences to extend their gardens.
6. Warwickshire County Council and Severn
Trent also carried out repair work to parts of the drainage system
that were in particularly poor order—but there was no major
rebuilding of the system. Combined storm water and sewage drains
and the pumping station continued to exist without any promised
upgrades.
7. Further localised flooding caused by
drainage problems have continued to plague parts of the town since
2003.
8. In 2007 the town was again flooded. This
time the river breached the defences on the opposite side of the
town where a bridge is a weak spot and where there is some possibility
that the defences were incomplete. Again the flooding was exacerbated
by the drainage system in the town. In all 150 houses were affected
in some way and over 110 were severely flooded.
9. For some householders it was the third
time in nine years that they have had to cope with the trauma
of flood damaged houses. For a number of households just outside
the main town poorly maintained land drains have caused their
houses to be inundated three times since January 2007.
10. Drainage problems hit all the roads
into the town and rainwater flowing from fields alongside eventually
made most virtually impassable to most vehicles. By 10.30 pm the
centre of the town was isolated.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR
THE FUTURE
11. The drainage in Alcester is antiquated
and, despite work carried out over recent years by Severn Trent
and Warwickshire County Council, it is unable to cope with the
kind of downpours that are becoming more frequent. As well as
being inadequate in capacity, individual drains are often blocked
and the cleansing regime is inadequate for the demands being put
on the system. The pumping station on Stratford Road requires
upgrading.
12. Most of drainage outlets in Alcester
feed into the rivers. When river levels rise the outward flow
is stopped and water begins to back up into the town.
13. The flood defences require regular checking
and maintenance, as do the land drains in fields around the town.
14. The drainage system for the whole town
needs a regular and more frequent cleaning programme. The whole
drainage system needs more work—particularly to solve the
outflow to the rivers—and the capacity of the whole infrastructure
must be assessed to determine the capacity to cope with the heavier
downpours that are predicted by various climate change scenarios.
15. There is a need for much more serious
planning and action if we are to adapt to anticipated climate
change and deal with the negative effects.
16. There are many players who have a role
in such planning. The District Council, County Council, Severn
Trent, Environment Agency, landowners and developers all play
a part in averting and coping with flooding and all have a responsibility
to work together to prevent or find solutions to flooding and
adapt to climate change. There is currently no clear coordination
body. Responsibility is split between so many bodies that decisions
can be deferred and action not carried through. It is too easy
to avoid action.
17. Alcester residents need to be assured
that as much as possible is done by all public authorities to
reduce the risks of any reoccurrence.
18. Whilst flooding may not be completely
preventable much more can be done and consideration should be
given to ensuring that:
— The drainage and sewage infrastructure
is comprehensively upgraded throughout the town
— Any weaknesses in the flood defences
are addressed
— Measures are taken to reduce rainwater
runoff and ensure that land drains are better maintained
— Emergency procedures are up to date
to meet any increased risk
— Sustainable urban drainage systems
are in place to prevent excessive runoff and alleviate flooding
— Floodplains are properly utilised
and able to divert water from the town
— No further buildings are allowed
in floodplains
— Any new buildings elsewhere should
be resilient enough to resist the effects of both flooding and
drought
— Residents are alerted to the fact
that hard paving and surfacing increases the risk of flooding
— There is full coordination and cooperation
between all who have a responsibility to prevent and find solutions
to flooding and that there are the funds available to carry out
essential work
19. Better advice needs to be made available
to residents to help them prevent, prepare for and recover from
flooding. The Environment Agency carries some excellent literature
covering advice on prevention, preparing for and recovering from
flooding on the website www.environment-agency.gov.uk but many
people do not have access to computers and many were unaware of
the Floodline number, and the advice on practical action that
can be taken in an emergency and practical action that can be
taken after the event.
20. Town and Parish Councils have no specific
land drainage powers but do have general powers to assist in their
neighbourhood and can be of great assistance to the other authorities
in providing a link to the community. The District and County
Council need to ensure that they are able to do this by giving
them support.
21. Parish and Town Councils can assist
with a community communication system, a flood action coordinator,
flood information centre and volunteer registration point within
the town, along with a plan to manage the response to the flooding.
They must have a clear line of communication to other authorities
and be a part of a future plan of action.
22. Responsibilities for all tasks must
to be clear.
Dr Susan Juned
August 2007
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