CABINET ITEM 7(a)

16 APRIL 2014

MEMBER’S ITEM - PREVENTION - HUNTER DRIVE DRY BALANCING LAKE

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION PROVIDED BY COUNCILLOR EDWARDS

Milton Keynes Development Corporation - Proposal 6(1) of the New Towns Act 1965 – Eaton North, Bletchley Ref. 1037

Part One Heading 2 Description of Site third paragraph, reads:

“A history of flooding in the north west corner has not been fully resolved, but has been improved by major improvements to Water Eaton Brook and will be further controlled by the introduction of balancing lakes west of the site.”

The Hunter Drive Dry Balancing Lake was built in June 1971 for George Wimpey and Company. The final construction engineering drawings were signed off in September 1974. Anglian Water Services has the responsibility of maintaining the balancing lake to the same standard when it was first built. The balancing lake is overgrown with vegetation and does not meet its purpose to prevent flooding.

Flooding 1968 and 1998

In the early hours of the 11 July 1968 horrific caused considerable damage to properties on the Roses Estate and others in Water Eaton Road. The local fire brigade provided a rowing boat to ferry residents through the deep water.

Despite the reconstruction of the water course bridge in Water Eaton Road and the purpose brick built banks of the brook from this point to the Grand Union Bridge, the threat of further flooding occurred on the 9 April 1998 when gardens were flooded and the water level reached the doorsteps of many properties.