a better place for you Trent left bank flood alleviation scheme

An outline a history of flooding

Nottingham has a well- We assessed the condition and documented history of flooding, height of the existing defences and dating back to 1795. The most investigated options to improve flood recent serious flood occurred in protection to properties. March 1947. Twenty-eight miles of streets, 3,000 properties and 86 As a result of the assessments we factories in the city centre were carried out in Nottingham we flooded. In response flood concluded that: defences were constructed through some areas of Nottingham left Nottingham in the 1950s. bank are only protected against a flood that has a 1 in 501 chance of Fifty years on, these defences still occurring in any year. protect Nottingham from the ravages some stretches of defence are in of the . Although the flood poor condition. defences have been well maintained over the last half-century, they are In March 2005 we published our nearing the end of their design life. findings in the Fluvial Trent flood risk We have also found that the management strategy. standard of flood protection provided 1 Floods are categorised by their size and the in some areas is below that currently frequency with which they are expected to occur. recommended by the Department of A 1 in 50 year flood event is one that is expected to occur once every 50 years or twice a century. This may the Environment, Food and Rural also be expressed as a flood with a 2% chance of occurring in any given year. A 1 in 100 year flood only Affairs (Defra). has a 1% chance of occurring in any given year but its effects would be much greater. Flood risk and the River Trent Following the widespread flooding in Top: Notts County football ground flooded in partsofthe Midlands in 1998 and November 2000. (Picture courtesy of Nottingham Post) 2000 we carried out an appraisal of Above right: Midland Station flooded in 1947. flood risk along the River Trent Bottom right: Bosworth Road in the Meadows between Stoke-on-Trent and Newark. area, 1947.

2 Environment Agency Nottingham Trent left bank flood alleviation scheme managing flood risk in Nottingham

Although it will never be possible How can we reduce flood risk? to prevent flooding entirely, we are Nottingham FAS has several aims Our preferred solution for Nottingham committed to managing flood risk including: is to raise existing flood defences and in Nottingham. Managing flood to reduce flood risk to to construct new defences where risk means reducing both the people and properties on required. We propose to construct likelihood of flooding and the Nottingham’s left bank these defences to a 1 in 100 year impact of flooding on people and to increase the variety of plant standard. This would protect the left properties when it occurs. and animal life in the river bank against a flood that has a 1 in corridor 100 chance of occurring in any year. Nottingham Trent left bank flood to improve the overall A 1 in 100 flood is indeed rare, but it alleviation scheme (Nottingham appearance and environment could have devastating consequences. Trent left bank FAS) of the river corridor Through the Nottingham Trent left to increase the recreation value Top: Properties in , one of the areas that will benefit from the scheme. bank FAS we are investigating how to of the river corridor Below left: Attenborough is another area manage flood risk along the left bank to consider the interests of where we intend to improve flood protection. of the River Trent in Nottingham. individuals and organisations. Below right: Railway track at Attenborough. Over 15,000 properties could benefit Attenborough station flooded in 2000. from increased protection.

Environment Agency Nottingham Trent left bank flood alleviation scheme 3 where are we proposing to work?

We are looking to improve flood Trent Meadows Newberry Avenue, Owen Avenue and protection between the M1 at Sawley The proposed works at Trent Holme Farm. We are also and Radcliffe Railway Viaduct in Colwick, Meadows will involve raising the investigating a number of options for a distance of 27km. This will reduce height of existing earth defence alignment in the vicinity of flood risk to over 15,000 properties. embankments in the vicinity of Trent Meadows allotments. Within this area, works need to be carried out at the following locations:

Sawley Proposed works at Sawley will include raising the height of existing earth embankments at the following locations:

between Wilne Road and Tamworth Road between Church Farm and the railway embankment at Grove Farm around Trent Farm A short length of new defence will be constructed in the vicinity of Harrington Bridge.

Top: Sawley. Right: Locations of the Nottingham Trent left bank FAS are shown in orange.

4 Environment Agency Nottingham Trent left bank flood alleviation scheme Attenborough Attenborough will benefit from a series of new flood defences adjacent to the existing railway line and around Attenborough village.

Rylands We propose to raise the height of existing earth embankments around the Rylands sports ground and Weir Field recreation ground.

Meadows We are proposing to undertake works between Bridge and in the Meadows area. We are investigating a number of options for the alignment of defences, including raising existing floodwalls and constructing new floodwalls.

Colwick Works at Colwick will focus around the country park, the residential areas nearest the river and the industrial estate. We are investigating options for realigning the defences in Colwick to improve the flow of water in the area in times of extreme flood.

Top: Rylands. Right: Colwick. Below: Trent Bridge.

Environment Agency Nottingham Trent left bank flood alleviation scheme 5 When do we plan to undertake work? Nature Reserve lakes and other levels both upstream and At this stage we are still evaluating wildlife sites downstream of Nottingham during the options, investigating whether improving the area for specific periods of extreme flooding. We plan building the proposed scheme is species, for example bats and to take the appropriate steps to ease technically possible, otters. the impact of flooding on these environmentally acceptable and areas. We intend to undertake a best use of public money. The benefits and effects separate study investigating methods In the long term, the Nottingham of reducing flood risk to communities Provided that this is the case, we will Trent left bank FAS will have a positive up and downstream of Nottingham. construct the scheme in stages over effect on the city, reducing the flood the next six years. risk to thousands of people’s homes What about the right bank? and businesses, enhancing people’s We are simultaneously developing Enhancing riverside areas enjoyment of the river and improving the West Bridgford flood alleviation This scheme offers an opportunity to the existing environment. scheme to improve the standard of enhance the riverside areas through the flood protection to Nottingham’s city. We have produced preliminary In the short term, our construction right bank. Further information on landscape plans for the six locations. activities may cause some disruption. the West Bridgford FAS is available These plans highlight the opportunities That may include restricted access to from our web site at to enhance the environment that we are properties and businesses, increased www.environment-agency.gov.uk. exploring including: traffic and noise and disturbance to creating wetland areas at Sawley the local environment. We will enhancing the river and adjacent minimise these effects by consulting habitat for fisheries the people directly affected and by providing additional footpaths, following planning and Environmental improving access to the river and Impact Assessment processes. the quality of the environment throughout Nottingham When the scheme is complete, there enhancing the Attenborough will be a modest increase in flood

6 Environment Agency Nottingham Trent left bank flood alleviation scheme send us your feedback

We have produced a scoping report The closing date for consultation will Radford/Lenton Library, as part of our Environmental be 23 December 2005. We will Lenton Boulevard, Nottingham Impact Assessment process. consider all comments we receive Meadows Library, The scoping report presents the before finalising the outline design Wilford Grove, The Meadows options summarised in this for the scheme. Library, booklet in greater detail and Sneinton Boulevard, Sneinton contains plans and drawings of Copies of the scoping report, outline Nottingham Central Library, our proposals. design drawings, indicative landscape Angel Row, Nottingham plans and standard feedback forms We encourage you to consult the are available from the web: Or contact Jody Harris at the scoping report and we welcome your go to our web pages on Midlands following address: comments and any questions you flood schemes at: www.environment mayhave. We have produced outline agency.gov.uk/regions/midlands/ Environmental Assessment Officer design drawings for each of the six 567079/567090/893833/894284/ Environment Agency locations and are currently seeking and follow the links to the Olton Court your input on: Nottingham Trent left bank FAS on 10 Warwick Road, Olton, Solihull, B92 7HX the proposed locations of the the page or [email protected] defences go to: www.NottinghamFlood Tel: 08708 506 506 the proposed type of defence Defence.co.uk (walls or embankments) Copies of the scoping report are also any local features that could After the consultation available from the following public benefit from the scheme After we have finished consulting the libraries: any local features that might public we will proceed with a more Long Eaton Library, constrain the scheme. detailed design of the scheme. Tamworth Road, Long Eaton We will continue to consult Library, The period during which you may landowners, residents and interested Stapleford Lane, Toton consult the report and make parties throughout the design and Inham Nook Library, comments lasts around a month. construction of the scheme. Barn Croft,

Environment Agency Nottingham Trent left bank flood alleviation scheme 7 Would you like to find out more about us, or about your environment?

Then call us on 08708 506 506 (Mon-Fri 8-6) email [email protected] or visit our website www.environment-agency.gov.uk incident hotline 0800 80 70 60 (24hrs) floodline 0845 988 1188

Environment first: This publication is printed on paper made from 100 per cent previously used waste. By-products from making the pulp and paper are used for composting and fertiliser, for making cement and for generating energy.

GeMI1105BJUS-E-P