Catchment Flood Management Plan Summary Report December 2009 managing flood risk We are the Environment Agency. It’s our job to look after your environment and make it a better place – for you, and for future generations. Your environment is the air you breathe, the water you drink and the ground you walk on. Working with business, Government and society as a whole, we are making your environment cleaner and healthier. The Environment Agency. Out there, making your environment a better place.

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All rights reserved. This document may be reproduced with prior permission of the Environment Agency. December 2009 Introduction

I am pleased to introduce our summary of the River Welland Catchment Flood Management Plan (CFMP). This CFMP gives an overview of the flood risk in the River Welland catchment and sets out our preferred plan for sustainable flood risk management over the next 50 to 100 years.

The River Welland CFMP is one of 77 CFMPs for of the tidal River Welland between Spalding and and Wales. Through the CFMPs, we have assessed inland Bridge. This could cause flooding to large parts of flood risk across all of England and Wales for the first Spalding. Breaching/failure of embankments that carry time. The CFMP considers all types of inland flooding, the main upland rivers across the fenland area of the from rivers, ground water, surface water and tidal catchment could cause significant flood risk. Surface flooding, but not flooding directly from the sea (coastal water and sewer flooding can affect parts of Market flooding). This is covered by Shoreline Management Harborough, Bourne and Stamford. Parts of the River Plans (SMPs). Our coverage of surface and groundwater Glen subcatchment and areas around Stamford could flooding is however limited due to a lack of available experience groundwater flooding. information. We cannot reduce flood risk on our own. We will therefore The role of CFMPs is to establish flood risk management work closely with all our partners to improve the co- policies which will deliver sustainable flood risk ordination of flood risk activities. For example, in parts management for the long term. This is essential if we are of the catchment Internal Drainage Boards (IDBs) have to make the right investment decisions for the future and an important role in managing flood risk. We will work to help prepare ourselves effectively for the impact of in partnership with the IDBs to agree the most effective climate change. We will use CFMPs to help us target our way to manage flood risk in the future. We also work with limited resources where the risks are greatest. many other organisations, groups and individuals with an interest in how flood risk is managed. This includes local This CFMP identifies flood risk management policies to authorities, water companies, conservation bodies such assist all key decision makers in the catchment. It was as Natural England and the public. produced through a wide consultation and appraisal process, however it is only the first step towards an This is a summary of the main CFMP document. integrated approach to flood risk management. As we If you would like to see the full document an electronic all work together to achieve our objectives, we must version can be obtained by emailing enquiries@ monitor and listen to each others progress, discuss what environment-agency.gov.uk or telephoning 08708 506 has been achieved and consider where we may need to 506. Alternatively, paper copies can be viewed at any of review parts of the CFMP. our offices in Anglian Region.

There are different sources of flood risk in the catchment. River flooding from the River Welland and its tributaries can affect Peterborough, , Stamford and villages such as Great Easton and Medbourne. Tidal Paul Woodcock flooding can occur from overtopping of the embankments Regional Director Anglian Region

Environment Agency River Welland Catchment Flood Management Plan 1 Contents

The purpose of a CFMP in managing flood risk 3

Catchment overview 4

Current and future flood risk 6

Future direction for flood risk management 12

Sub-areas 1 Upper Tributaries 14 2 Welland and Glens 16 3 Fenlands 18 4 Market Harborough 20 5 22 6 Stamford 23 7 Peterborough 24 8 Spalding 26 9 Surfleet 28

Map of CFMP policies 30

River Welland, Stamford

2 Environment Agency River Welland Catchment Flood Management Plan The purpose of a CFMP in managing flood risk

CFMPs help us to understand the • Internal Drainage Boards CFMPs aim to promote more scale and extent of flooding now (IDBs), water companies and sustainable approaches to managing and in the future, and set policies other utilities to help plan their flood risk. The policies identified in for managing flood risk within the activities in the wider context the CFMP will be delivered through a catchment. CFMPs should be used of the catchment; combination of different approaches. to inform planning and decision Together with our partners, we • transportation planners; making by key stakeholders such as: will implement these approaches • land owners, farmers and through a range of delivery plans, • the Environment Agency, who will land managers that manage projects and actions. use the plan to guide decisions and operate land for on investment in further plans, The relationship between the CFMP, agriculture, conservation projects or actions; delivery plans, strategies, projects and amenity purposes; and actions is shown in Figure 1. • regional planning bodies and • the public and businesses to local authorities who can use the enhance their understanding plan to inform spatial planning of flood risk and how it will activities and emergency be managed. planning;

Figure 1 The relationship between CFMPs, delivery plans, projects and actions

Policy planning • CFMPs and Shoreline Management Plans. • Action plans define requirement for delivery plans, projects and actions.

Policy delivery plans (see note) Projects and actions • Influence spatial planning to reduce risk • Make sure our spending delivers the best and restore floodplains. possible outcomes. • Prepare for and manage floods • Focus on risk based targets, for example (including local Flood Warning plans). numbers of households at risk. • Managing assets. • Water level management plans. • Land management and habitat creation. Note: Some plans may not be led by us – we may • Surface water management plans. identify the need and encourage their development.

Environment Agency River Welland Catchment Flood Management Plan 3 Catchment overview

The catchment of the River Welland Harborough, Oakham, Stamford, porous clay, there are higher rates is located in the east of England. It , Bourne, of rainfall runoff, and runoff flows extends from the river’s headwaters Spalding and the northern part directly into the watercourses. In around Market Harborough and of Peterborough, which includes the areas where there is limestone flows eastwards through Stamford the areas of Bretton, Dogsthorpe, or sandstone bedrock, runoff may and Spalding to its outfall into the Gunthorpe, New England, infiltrate the rock, delaying . Map 1 shows the location Ravensthorpe, Walton and response of rivers to rainfall and and extent of the River Welland Werrington. reducing peak flood flows. There CFMP area. It includes the major is also a risk from groundwater The landscape of the catchment tributaries of the West Glen and East flooding in these areas. In the varies significantly. Upstream Glen Rivers, plus a number of other lower fenland areas in the east of of Stamford it is relatively hilly. tributaries including , the the catchment, the peat soils and Downstream of Stamford, the river and . The the low gradients mean that water has raised embankments, to carry downstream limit of the CFMP area moves slowly to the river channels. water through the low-lying fenland. is located at Fosdyke Bridge which are drained mainly by Within the River Welland catchment, is The Wash Shoreline Management pumping and discharging water into there are a number of sites Plan (SMP) boundary. The Wash the Welland because large areas designated for their environmental SMP deals with coastal flood risk are at or below sea level. However, importance including Special Areas management, while the CFMP there are some watercourses which of Conservation (SAC), Special considers tidal flood risk along the drain into the sea via outfalls using Protection Areas (SPA) and Ramsar River Welland upstream of Fosdyke gravity. Internal Drainage Boards sites. Important environmental sites Bridge to the tidal limit in Spalding. (IDBs) have an important role in in the catchment include The overall catchment area is about managing land drainage within Water (Ramsar, Site of Special 1,680 km2, and has a population of these low-lying fenland areas. Scientific Interest (SSSI), SPA) and around 250,000. It is predominantly The Wash (Ramsar, SAC, SPA, SSSI). The underlying geology of the rural with the majority of the There are 57 SSSIs throughout area is dominated by mudstone catchment (approximately 80%) the catchment, some of which are to the west of and being used for arable crop designated for their geological , and limestone and production. There is a large importance. Scheduled Monuments sandstone to the east. In the hilly proportion of high grade agricultural (SMs), designated for their heritage areas to the west of the catchment, land particularly in The Fens. values, are distributed across where the underlying rock is non- The main urban areas are Market the catchment area.

4 Environment Agency River Welland Catchment Flood Management Plan Map 1 Location and extent of the River Welland CFMP area

Rutland Water

Environment Agency River Welland Catchment Flood Management Plan 5 Current and future flood risk

Overview of the current flood risk What is at risk?

Flood risk has two components: • tidal flooding from the River Using river models we estimate the chance (probability) of a Welland between Spalding and that at present there are around particular flood and the impact Fosdyke Bridge, where tidal water 580 people and 250 properties at (or consequence) that the flood could rise over the top of the risk in the whole catchment from a would have if it happened. The embankments; 1% annual probability river flood, probability of a flood relates to the taking into account current flood • breaching/failure of likelihood of a flood of that size defences. This means that 0.2% of embankments, which could occurring within a one year period, the total population living in the be a problem along rivers it is expressed as a percentage. For catchment are currently at risk from that cross the fenland area of example, a 1% annual probability flooding. There is 581 km² of grade the catchment. This type of flood has a 1% chance or 0.01 one and two agricultural land in the flooding is difficult to predict probability of occurring in any one catchment; approximately 1.5% of but could cause rapid flooding year, and a 0.5% annual probability this is at risk from flooding in 1% of areas immediately behind flood has a 0.5% chance or 0.005 annual probability river flood. the embankments, which could probability of occurring in any one result in a loss of life to people; It is difficult to assess the current year. The flood risks quoted in this impact of flooding to environmental report are those that take account • surface water drainage and features but the internationally of flood defences already in place. sewer flooding, has occurred important sites of The Wash and in parts of Market Harborough, The catchment has a history of Rutland Water and 19 other SSSIs Bourne and Stamford. Due to flooding. The most significant river may be at risk from the impacts its geology, the northern part of flood in the catchment occurred of flooding. Seven Scheduled Peterborough has the potential in march 1947 where there was Monuments may also be at risk to be at risk from surface water widespread flooding. More recent of flooding. flooding; river floods have been localised and impacted a few properties, • groundwater flooding is a risk for for example in November 2000. parts of the River Glen catchment In 2004 Stamford and Market and for areas around Stamford, Harborough experienced surface when there are high groundwater water and sewer flooding. levels within the underlying rock. Currently the main sources of flood risk for people, property, infrastructure and the land are:

• river flooding from the River Welland and its tributaries, particularly in the northern part of Peterborough, and towns of Market Harborough and Stamford;

6 Environment Agency River Welland Catchment Flood Management Plan Where is the risk? Table 1 Locations of towns and villages with 25 or more properties at risk in a 1% annual probability river flood Around half of the people and properties that are at risk within Number of properties at risk Locations the catchment from a 1% annual 100 to 500 Peterborough probability river flood, (taking into account current flood defences) 50 to 100 None are located in the northern part of Peterborough. A further 15% 25 to 50 Surfleet are located within the chalet style housing at Surfleet Reservoir, which is particularly vulnerable to deep flooding. Table 2 Critical infrastructure at risk in the catchment The distribution of properties at Risk from a 1% annual probability risk from a 1% annual probability river flood river flood, taking into account current flood defences, is shown on Critical infrastructure One electricity sub-station, Map 2. Table 1 summarises where at risk One Wastewater Treatment Works there is flood risk to more than 25 properties. Table 2 shows the critical infrastructure at risk in a 1% annual probability river flood. We recognise that there is also a potential risk from surface water and groundwater flooding. However, further studies following on from the CFMP are needed by us and our partners to quantify this potential risk.

River Glen, Pinchbeck

Environment Agency River Welland Catchment Flood Management Plan 7 Map 2 Flood risks to property in a 1% annual probability river flood, taking into account current flood defences

How we currently manage the risk in the catchment

The catchment has a history of up to a 3.3% annual probability • flood alleviation schemes. flood risk, generally due to high river flood. A flood bank at The flood walls at Stamford and rainfall that can lead to flooding of Manthorpe provides protection Market Harborough provide the river valleys and the breaching/ up to a 2% annual probability protection up to a 1% annual overtopping of flood defences. river flood; probability river flood. Over the last 50 years numerous • building flood bypass channels. These measures have all reduced engineering schemes have been The bypass channel at flood risk and around 23% of the implemented to reduce flood risk in provides protection up to a 1% total catchment population currently the catchment, including: annual probability river flood; live in areas that benefit from flood • the widening, straightening and defences. • constructing reservoirs. Flood embanking of rivers. Embanked storage reservoirs upstream of In addition to these engineering rivers within The Fens area of the Market Harborough, Medbourne schemes, other flood risk catchment provide protection up and Great Easton provide management activities are carried to a 1% annual probability river protection up to a 2% annual out in the catchment. These include and tidal flood. Flood banks in probability river flood; activities which help to reduce the Peterborough provide protection probability of flooding and those that address the consequences of flooding.

8 Environment Agency River Welland Catchment Flood Management Plan Activities that reduce the probability property and ensuring that • promoting resilience and of flooding include: only appropriate development resistance measures for those is allowed on the floodplain properties already in the • maintaining and improving through the application of floodplain. existing flood defences and Planning Policy Statement 25 structures; Combinations of engineering and (PPS25); other flood risk management • maintaining river channels; • understanding where flooding activities are used to reduce the • maintenance of drainage is likely by using flood risk probability or consequences of networks by Internal Drainage mapping; flooding. Investigations are ongoing Boards (IDBs) and landowners; to identify which activities are • providing flood forecasting and likely to be most effective and warning services; • maintenance of road drainage appropriate in different parts of the and sewers. • promoting awareness of catchment area in the future. Activities that reduce the flooding so that organisations, consequences of flooding include: communities and individuals are aware of the risk and are • working with local authorities to prepared in case they need to influence the location, layout and take action in time of flood; design of new and redeveloped

Gwash North Arm, Oakham

Environment Agency River Welland Catchment Flood Management Plan 9 The impact of climate For rural land management, we Using river models we estimate change and future flood adjusted the river models to that by 2100, around 1,000 people represent the effect of reducing and 500 properties across the risk and increasing intensive farming catchment may be at risk from a 1% practices. At a catchment scale this annual probability river flood, and In the future, flooding can be had a limited impact on flood risk. 60 people and 25 properties may be influenced by climate change, at risk from a 1% annual probability changes in land use (for example In the River Welland CFMP, climate tidal flood. These figures take into urban development) and rural land change and urbanisation were account current flood defences. management. Using river models we shown to have the greatest impact tested the sensitivity of the rivers in on flood risk. Therefore, the the catchment to these drivers. scenario used to model future flood risk was based on the current rural For urbanisation, we tested the land management situation and the sensitivity of the rivers in the changes in urbanisation and climate catchment to a 56% increase in change as described. urban growth up to 2100. Increasing urbanisation had an impact on flood risk.

For climate change we tested the Figure 2 Current and future (2100) flood risk to property from a 1% annual following changes up to 2100: probability river flood, taking into account current flood defences • 20% increase in peak flow in all watercourses. This will increase the probability of large-scale flood risk;

• a total sea level rise of 905 mm by the year 2100. This will increase the probability of tidal flooding and increase the length of time watercourses will not be able to flow freely to the sea at high tide (tide-locked). Climate change was shown to have a significant impact on flood risk.

10 Environment Agency River Welland Catchment Flood Management Plan Flood risk from rivers increases a 1% annual probability river flood In general, it is unlikely that the mainly in the northern part of at key locations in the catchment. impact of flooding to infrastructure, Peterborough, Eye and . Following on from the CFMP, transport services, or impact on By 2100 flood risk in Spalding is organisations need to work together environmental sites will increase expected to increase during a 0.1% to investigate flood risk from other significantly. annual probability tidal flood. Figure sources (for example surface water 2 shows the difference between and groundwater flooding) in more current and future flood risks from detail.

Maxey Cut

Environment Agency River Welland Catchment Flood Management Plan 11 Future direction for flood risk management

Approaches in each sub-area

We have divided the River Welland the most appropriate approach To select the most appropriate catchment into nine distinct sub- to managing flood risk for each of policy, the plan has considered how areas which have similar physical the sub-areas and allocated one of social, economic and environmental characteristics, sources of flooding six generic flood risk management objectives are affected by flood risk and level of risk. We have identified policies, shown in Table 3. management activities under each policy option.

Map 3 Sub-areas and flood risk management policies

12 Environment Agency River Welland Catchment Flood Management Plan Table 3 Flood risk management policy options ➜ Policy 1 Areas of little or no flood risk where we will continue to monitor and advise This policy will tend to be applied in those areas where there are very few properties at risk of flooding. It reflects a commitment to work with the natural flood processes as far as possible.

➜ Policy 2 Areas of low to moderate flood risk where we can generally reduce existing flood risk management actions This policy will tend to be applied where the overall level of risk to people and property is low to moderate. It may no longer be value for money to focus on continuing current levels of maintenance of existing defences if we can use resources to reduce risk where there are more people at higher risk. We would therefore review the flood risk management actions being taken so that they are proportionate to the level of risk.

➜ Policy 3 Areas of low to moderate flood risk where we are generally managing existing flood risk effectively This policy will tend to be applied where the risks are currently appropriately managed and where the risk of flooding is not expected to increase significantly in the future. However, we keep our approach under review, looking for improvements and responding to new challenges or information as they emerge. We may review our approach to managing flood defences and other flood risk management actions, to ensure that we are managing efficiently and taking the best approach to managing flood risk in the longer term.

➜ Policy 4 Areas of low, moderate or high flood risk where we are already managing the flood risk effectively but where we may need to take further actions to keep pace with climate change This policy will tend to be applied where the risks are currently deemed to be appropriately-managed, but where the risk of flooding is expected to significantly rise in the future. In this case we would need to do more in the future to contain what would otherwise be increasing risk. Taking further action to reduce risk will require further appraisal to assess whether there are socially and environmentally sustainable, technically viable and economically justified options.

➜ Policy 5 Areas of moderate to high flood risk where we can generally take further action to reduce flood risk This policy will tend to be applied to those areas where the case for further action to reduce flood risk is most compelling, for example where there are many people at high risk, or where changes in the environment have already increased risk. Taking further action to reduce risk will require additional appraisal to assess whether there are socially and environmentally sustainable, technically viable and economically justified options.

➜ Policy 6 Areas of low to moderate flood risk where we will take action with others to store water or manage run-off in locations that provide overall flood risk reduction or environmental benefits This policy will tend to be applied where there may be opportunities in some locations to reduce flood risk locally or more widely in a catchment by storing water or managing run-off. The policy has been applied to an area (where the potential to apply the policy exists), but would only be implemented in specific locations within the area, after more detailed appraisal and consultation.

Environment Agency River Welland Catchment Flood Management Plan 13 Sub-area 1

Upper Tributaries

Our key partners are: The vision and preferred policy

South Kesteven District Council Policy option 2: Areas of low to moderate flood risk where we can generally reduce existing flood risk Council management actions.

Daventry District Council In these rural reaches the current activity to manage Borough Council flooding is out of proportion with the level of flood risk, or is not effective. In general, overall flood risk Borough Council management activities will be reduced within the sub- area, however where flood risk is more concentrated East Council (for example in towns and villages) existing actions to Rutland County Council manage flooding may be continued.

Peterborough City Council The preferred approach is to cease bank and channel maintenance in some locations. This will enable Anglian Water limited resources to be targeted to other areas of the catchment where the risks are greater, to ensure value for money. The preferred approach will also help The issues in this sub-area improve the flow between the river and its floodplain and so improve wetland and aquatic habitats. There is low risk to people and property in this rural sub-area. Currently one property within this sub-area Flood warning is an important way of managing the is at risk from the 1% annual probability river flood. consequences of flooding throughout the catchment. There is a small amount of agricultural land at risk of Therefore, the local flood warning infrastructure (such flooding in the lower reaches of the tributaries during as river flow gauging stations) needs to be maintained. the 1% annual probability river flood, but no critical infrastructure is at risk. Table 4 details flood risk to people and property in this sub-area. The key messages

Table 4 Risk to people and property within the Upper • Where feasible, flood risk management activities will Tributaries sub-area during a 1% annual probability be reduced as the current activity to manage flooding river flood, taking into account current flood defences is out of proportion with the level of flood risk.

Current Future • Ceasing bank and channel maintenance will help (2100) naturalise rivers and improve the flow between the river and its floodplain. Number of people at risk 2 12 • Maintain flood warning infrastructure (such as river Number of properties at risk 1 6 flow gauging stations) to ensure that an effective flood warning service can be provided throughout the catchment.

14 Environment Agency River Welland Catchment Flood Management Plan Proposed actions to implement • Continue maintenance of Rutland Water. Anglian the preferred policy Water must carry out their duties under the Reservoirs Act. • Investigate options to cease current bank • Encourage planners to develop policies to prevent and channel maintenance and flood defence inappropriate development in the floodplain using maintenance. In addition, changes in land use, measures set out in Planning Policy Statement 25 development of sustainable farming practices and (PPS25). Any new development should be targeted environmental enhancement should be investigated to areas with lowest flood risk, must not increase to mitigate an increase in flooding in the future. risk to existing development and should provide • Continue with the flood warning service including opportunities to improve river environments. the maintenance of flood warning infrastructure (such as river flow gauging stations) and public awareness plans.

River Gwash, Empingham

Environment Agency River Welland Catchment Flood Management Plan 15 Sub-area 2

Welland and Glens

Our key partners are: The vision and preferred policy

South Kesteven District Council Policy option 2: Areas of low to moderate flood risk where we can generally reduce existing flood risk Harborough District Council management actions. Rutland County Council In these rural reaches the current activity to manage Reservoir owner (Corus) flooding is out of proportion with the level of flood risk, or is not effective. In general, overall flood risk management activities will be reduced within the sub- area, however where flood risk is more concentrated The issues in this sub-area (for example in towns and villages) existing actions to manage flooding may be continued. There is low risk to people and property located in small towns and villages, or in isolated areas scattered The preferred approach is to reduce bank and channel throughout this rural sub-area. Currently 56 properties maintenance in some locations. This will enable within this sub-area are at risk from the 1% annual limited resources to be targeted to other areas of probability river flood. There is a small amount of the catchment where the risks are greater, to ensure agricultural land at risk of flooding in the upper reaches value for money. The preferred approach will also help of the River Welland in the 1% annual probability river improve the flow between the river and its floodplain flood, but no critical infrastructure is at risk. Table 5 and so improve wetland and aquatic habitats. details flood risk to people and property in this sub-area. Flood warning is an important way of managing the Table 5 Risk to people and property within the Welland consequences of flooding throughout the catchment. and Glens sub-area during a 1% annual probability Therefore, the local flood warning infrastructure (such river flood, which includes flood protection given as river flow gauging stations) needs to be maintained. by flood storage reservoirs in Medbourne and Great Easton, and the Greatford Cut flood bypass

Current Future The key messages (2100) • Where feasible, flood risk management activities will be reduced as the current activity to manage flooding Number of people at risk 115 130 is out of proportion with the level of flood risk.

Number of properties at risk 56 62 • Reducing bank and channel maintenance will help naturalise rivers and improve the flow between the river and its floodplain.

• Maintain flood warning infrastructure (such as river flow gauging stations) to ensure that an effective flood warning service can be provided throughout the catchment.

16 Environment Agency River Welland Catchment Flood Management Plan Proposed actions to implement • Continue with the flood warning service including the preferred policy the maintenance of flood warning infrastructure (such as river flow gauging stations) and public • Investigate options to cease or reduce current awareness plans. bank and channel maintenance and flood defence • Carry out an investigation into the extent and impact maintenance. In addition, changes in land use, of groundwater flooding and identify possible development of sustainable farming practices and mitigation measures to reduce the current risk and environmental enhancement should be investigated raise awareness. to mitigate an increase in flooding in the future. • Encourage planners to develop policies to prevent • Identify opportunities where existing water level development in the River Welland valley, defined by control structures, such as mills and sluices, can the 0.1% undefended flood extent. The floodplain be removed to improve fish passage and improve should be maintained as an asset to make space aquatic habitats. for water. • Continue maintenance and inspection of Medbourne Brook and Great Easton Brook flood storage reservoirs and Greatford Cut Sluice.

• Continue maintenance of Eye Brook Reservoir. Corus must carry out their duties under the Reservoirs Act.

Greatford Cut

Environment Agency River Welland Catchment Flood Management Plan 17 Sub-area 3

Fenlands

Our key partners are: The vision and preferred policy

South Holland District Council Policy option 4: Areas of low, moderate or high flood risk where we are already managing the flood risk Welland and Deepings Internal Drainage Board effectively but where we may need to take further South Holland Internal Drainage Board and actions to keep pace with climate change. North Level Internal Drainage Board Historically, the Fens have been heavily managed by a number of organisations to reduce the probability of river and tidal flooding. Flood risk is expected to The issues in this sub-area increase in the future to people, property and the environment. In the short term it will be feasible and Currently 27 properties within this sub-area are at effective to maintain the existing flood defences at the risk from the 1% annual probability river flood. The current level of flood risk management. However, in properties at risk are concentrated in the towns towards the future the protection given by these defences may the west of the fenland area such as Market Deeping, decline as future flooding is expected to become more Eye and Peakirk. There is grade one and two agricultural intense. It may be difficult to maintain the current level land at risk in gthe Fens in the 1% annual probability of flood risk management into the future for all low- river flood, but no critical infrastructure is at risk. These lying areas. Where it is technically, environmentally and lowland areas are mainly rural, where historically much economically viable, the policy is to undertake further of the land has been drained for agriculture. Embanked activities to maintain the current level of flood risk watercourses carry water from upstream across these management into the future. areas to outfall along the coast. The probability of Within the Fens sub-area, the preferred approach flooding has been significantly reduced in these areas is to produce a flood risk management strategy to through actions taken primarily for land drainage develop a sustainable, integrated and long term flood purposes. There is a perception of little or no risk. risk management approach. The strategy should However flood defences can fail or be overwhelmed investigate how flood risk varies across the Fens and which means that some areas have significant residual the best approach to manage this risk, which may risk and the consequences of flooding have the include making space for water. The strategy may potential to be serious. Table 6 details flood risk to highlight the need to carry out further work in some people and property in this sub-area. areas, while in others we may be able to continue with Table 6 Risk to people and property within the or reduce our flood risk management activities. As Fenlands during a 1% annual probability river flood, part of this strategy, flood risk from breaching of the taking into account current flood defences existing defences should be considered. To develop a sustainable flood risk management approach the Current Future strategy must bring together organisations and other (2100) plans and projects across the Fens. This included Number of people at risk 62 377 considering flood risk from the rivers Witham, Welland, Nene, Great Ouse along with tidal risk and the policies Number of properties at risk 27 168 set within The Wash SMP.

18 Environment Agency River Welland Catchment Flood Management Plan The key messages Proposed actions to implement

• In the short term, it is still feasible and effective to the preferred policy maintain the existing flood defences at the current • Produce a flood risk management strategy for the level of flood risk management. Fens to investigate how flood risk varies across the • Produce a strategy to develop a sustainable, area and the best approach to manage this risk. integrated and long term flood risk management approach for the Fens.

River Welland, Fosdyke

Environment Agency River Welland Catchment Flood Management Plan 19 Sub-area 4

Market Harborough

Our key partners are: in the long term, alternative, more appropriate ways to manage flood risk at the current level should be Anglian Water applied. Studies should be carried out to investigate whether the flood walls in the town centre need to be Harborough District Council replaced at the end of their design life. An alternative more sustainable approach, could be to change the layout and design of properties in the town centre The issues in this sub-area as they are redeveloped to make the buildings more There are currently 4 properties within this sub-area resilient to flooding. Another alternative measure at risk from the 1% annual probability river flood. may include studies to investigate the extent and There is no agricultural land at risk but one Wastewater impact of surface water flooding including previous Treatment Works and two electricity sub-stations at risk improvements carried out by Anglian Water. of flooding in the 1% annual probability river flood. Table 7 details flood risk to people and property in this sub-area. The key messages

Table 7 Risk to people and property within the Market • The current level of flood risk management should Harborough sub-area during a 1% annual probability be continued. river flood, which includes protection given by • Investigate alternative, more appropriate ways to upstream storage reservoirs and concrete channels manage flood risk at the current level. In particular, through the town whether to replace the flood wall in the town centre Current Future at the end of its design life. (2100)

Number of people at risk 10 53 Proposed actions to implement Number of properties at risk 4 25 the preferred policy

• In the short term, continue with the current flood risk The vision and preferred policy management activities. Policy option 3: Areas of low to moderate flood risk • In the longer term, investigate maintaining the flood where we are generally managing existing flood risk walls in the town centre when they reach the end of effectively. their designed life. Market Harborough has a history of river and surface • Continue maintenance and inspection of Little water flooding. Although flood risk is not expected Bowden and Braybrooke flood storage reservoirs. to increase significantly in the future, as there is a concentration of people and property within the • Continue with the flood warning service including floodplain, it is still feasible and effective to continue the maintenance of flood warning infrastructure with the current level of flood risk management. In the (such as river flow gauging stations) and public short term, this will be achieved by continuing with awareness plans. existing flood risk management activities. However,

20 Environment Agency River Welland Catchment Flood Management Plan • Work with partners to develop a Surface Water • Work with planners to influence the location, layout Management Plan for Market Harborough. and design of new and redeveloped property. Ensure that only appropriate development is allowed on the • Encourage planners to develop policies for floodplain through the application of Planning Policy new development and regeneration (including Statement 25 (PPS25). commercial sites) to incorporate resilience measures so that the location, layout and design of • Work with partners to develop an emergency development can help to reduce flood risk. Planners response plan to manage flooding in Market should prevent inappropriate development in the Harborough during an extreme flood. floodplain using measures set out in Planning Policy • Work with partners to investigate the impact and Statement 25 (PPS25), and ensure that any new extent of flooding to critical infrastructure at risk. development does not increase the risk to existing development. Any new development or regeneration should provide opportunities to improve the river environment and make space for water.

River Welland, Market Harborough

Environment Agency River Welland Catchment Flood Management Plan 21 Sub-area 5

Oakham

Our key partners are: appropriate ways to manage flood risk at the current level. Alternative measures may include reducing flood Rutland County Council risk maintenance in parts of the sub-area where there is a low risk of flooding, and targeting resources at critical Anglian Water locations where flood risk is more concentrated.

The issues in this sub-area The key messages

There are currently 16 properties within this sub-area at • The current level of flood risk management should risk from the 1% annual probability river flood. There is be continued. no agricultural land at risk but there is one Wastewater • As an alternative approach to managing flood risk Treatment Works at risk in the 1% annual probability consider reducing maintenance activities where river flood. Table 8 details flood risk to people and flood risk is low and targeting resources to areas property in this sub-area. where the risk is more concentrated. Table 8 Risk to people and property within the Oakham sub-area during a 1% annual probability river flood, taking into account current flood defences Proposed actions to implement

Current Future the preferred policy (2100) • Investigate options to reduce flood risk maintenance Number of people at risk 36 38 activities where the risk of flooding is low. • Investigate the feasibility of expanding culverts at Number of properties at risk 16 17 critical locations on the river where flood risk is more concentrated.

The vision and preferred policy • Continue with the flood warning service including the Policy option 3: Areas of low to moderate flood risk maintenance of flood warning infrastructure (such where we are generally managing existing flood risk as river flow gauging stations) and public awareness effectively. plans.

In the past, maintenance work has been carried out • Work with partners to investigate the impact and on the rivers flowing through Oakham to reduce flood extent of flooding to critical infrastructure at risk. risk. Although flood risk is not expected to increase • Work with planners to influence the location, layout significantly in the future, as there is a concentration and design of new and redeveloped property. Ensure of people and property within the floodplain, it is still that only appropriate development is allowed on the feasible and effective to continue with the current level floodplain through the application of Planning Policy of flood risk management. The preferred approach Statement 25 (PPS25). is to achieve this by carrying out alternative more

22 Environment Agency River Welland Catchment Flood Management Plan Sub-area 6

Stamford

Our key partners are: level of flood risk management. This will be achieved by continuing with existing flood risk management Anglian Water activities.

South Kesteven District Council

Stamford Town Council The key messages

• The current level of flood risk management should be continued. The issues in this sub-area • Continue current flood risk management activities. Currently 1 property within this sub-area is at risk from the 1% annual probability river flood. There is no agricultural land at risk but there is one Wastewater Proposed actions to implement Treatment Works at risk in the 1% annual probability the preferred policy river flood, but no agricultural land is at risk. Table 9 details flood risk to people and property in this sub-area. • Continue with the current flood risk management activities. Table 9 Risk to people and property within the Stamford sub-area during a 1% annual probability river • Continue with the flood warning service including the flood, which includes protection given by flood walls maintenance of flood warning infrastructure such as along the River Welland river flow gauging stations. Current Future • Work with partners to develop a Surface Water (2100) Management Plan for Stamford. Number of people at risk 2 7 • Carry out an investigation into the extent and impact of groundwater flooding and identify possible Number of properties at risk 1 5 mitigation measures to reduce the current risk and raise awareness. The vision and preferred policy • Work with planners to influence the location, layout Policy option 3: Areas of low to moderate flood risk and design of new and redeveloped property. Ensure where we are generally managing existing flood risk that only appropriate development is allowed on the effectively. floodplain through the application of Planning Policy Statement 25 (PPS25). The settlements in this sub-area have been built in the floodplain and as a result have a history of flooding. • Carry out an environmental enhancement project In the past flood defences have been constructed to improve the state of the river and its habitat. and maintenance work carried out to reduce flood Reducing maintenance activities along Stamford risk. Although flood risk is not expected to increase Meadows will provide the opportunity to improve significantly in the future, as there is a concentration the flow between the river and its floodplain and to of people and property within the floodplain, it is still improve wetland and aquatic habitats. feasible and effective to continue with the current

Environment Agency River Welland Catchment Flood Management Plan 23 Sub-area 7

Peterborough

Our key partners are: The vision and preferred policy

Peterborough City Council Policy option 4: Areas of low, moderate or high flood risk where we are already managing the flood risk Welland and Deepings Internal Drainage Board effectively but where we may need to take further actions to keep pace with climate change.

In this densely populated urban sub-area the most The issues in this sub-area sustainable approach to manage future flood risk This sub-area covers the northern part of Peterborough, would be to open up river channels and re-create river which includes the areas of Bretton, Dogsthorpe, corridors, so that there is more space for rivers to flow Gunthorpe, New England, Ravensthorpe, Walton through the towns. To achieve this a combination of and Werrington. The southern part of Peterborough improvements to the channel capacity by increasing the is covered by the CFMP. The probability size of culverts and active land use planning should be of flooding from the river has been reduced in many considered. places by channel modifications and water level control Food risk management planning should be linked structures. There are currently 116 properties within closely with regeneration and redevelopment of these this sub-area at risk from the 1% annual probability towns so that policies can be put in place to create river flood probability river flood in the River Welland green corridors, and to incorporate flood resilience catchment. The majority of the properties at risk are measures into the location, layout and design of located in the New England area of Peterborough. development. There is agricultural land at risk of flooding in the North of Peterborough and around Glinton and Peakirk and Organisations should work together to manage all one electricity sub-station at risk of flooding in the 1% flood sources as flooding from surface water and sewer annual probability river flood. Table 10 details flood flooding could increase in the future due to more risk to people and property in this sub-area. frequent and intense storms.

Table 10 Risk to people and property within the The risk of flooding cannot be reduced entirely, Peterborough sub-area during a 1% annual probability therefore flood awareness must continue to be river flood, taking into account current flood defences promoted amongst these communities.

Current Future (2100) The key messages Number of people at risk 262 347 • Future flood risk should be managed by opening up river channels and re-creating river corridors so there Number of properties at risk 116 176 is more space for rivers to flow.

• Flood risk management planning should be linked closely with regeneration and redevelopment so that the location and layout of development can help to reduce flood risk.

24 Environment Agency River Welland Catchment Flood Management Plan • Organisations must work together to provide an • Encourage planners to develop policies for integrated approach to urban drainage issues and new development and regeneration (including surface water flooding. commercial sites) to incorporate resilience measures so that the location, layout and design of • Flood awareness plans will be used to manage the development can help to reduce flood risk. Planners consequences of flooding. should prevent inappropriate development in the floodplain using measures set out in Planning Policy Statement 25 (PPS25), and ensure that any new Proposed actions to implement development does not increase the risk to existing the preferred policy development. Any new development or regeneration should provide opportunities to improve the river • In the short term, continue with the current flood risk environment and make space for water. management activities. • Reduce the consequences of flooding by: improving • Investigate the feasibility of increasing the passage public awareness of flooding; encouraging people of water along Paston Brook and Werrington Brook to to sign up to, and respond to, flood warnings; and manage future flood risk. by improving local emergency planning for critical • Continue with the flood warning service including the infrastructure at risk. maintenance of flood warning infrastructure such as • Work with partners to develop a Surface Water river flow gauging stations. Management Plan for Peterborough.

Paston Brook, Peterborough

Environment Agency River Welland Catchment Flood Management Plan 25 Sub-area 8

Spalding

Our key partners are: Historically, flood defences have been constructed to reduce the probability of flooding. In the future the South Holland District Council protection given by these defences may decline as future flooding is forecast to become more intense. National Flood Forum Flood risk is expected to increase in the future to Emergency Services people and property. It is therefore important to maintain the current level of flood risk into the future. For Spalding the preferred approach is to take further action to sustain the current level of flood risk by The issues in this sub-area raising the flood embankments through the town. This will reduce the risk from overtopping of the defences Spalding is situated on the low-lying fenlands in the in the future. However, it is important to note that the lower reaches of the River Welland and is protected flood defences in Spalding could fail. The density of by a series of flood defences. These include raised people and property in Spalding means that this could embankments through the town, the Coronation have significant consequences. The risk to people and Channel and the and washlands property behind the defences should be managed with upstream of the town. There are no people and flood awareness and emergency response plans. properties, agricultural land or critical infrastructure at risk in the 1% annual probability flood in this sub- area. However, there is a significant risk to people from the future 0.1% annual probability tidal flood. This is The key messages due to overtopping of the flood embankments. As well • In the short term, continue with the current flood risk as the increase in future flooding from overtopping management activities. of the defences, as flood flows increase, the risk of failure of the flood embankments will increase. Flood • Future flood risk should be managed by improving embankments will be more liable to breach in the the existing flood defences through the town. future as higher flows place increasing pressure on • Flood awareness and emergency response plans defences. should be used to manage the consequences of flooding from the existing defences failing. The vision and preferred policy

Policy option 4: Areas of low, moderate or high flood risk where we are already managing the flood risk effectively but where we may need to take further actions to keep pace with climate change.

26 Environment Agency River Welland Catchment Flood Management Plan Proposed actions to implement • Encourage planners to prevent development within the preferred policy the rapid inundation zone. This zone is an area where flood waters may flow rapidly with limited • Work with partners in the short term to maintain time to evacuate people safely if the defences were any structures that are effective at reducing flood to breach. Within other parts of Spalding, planners risk and continue current maintenance activities. should be encouraged to develop policies that Investigate and consider options to manage the risk prevent inappropriate development in the floodplain of breaching. using measures set out in Planning Policy Statement 25 (PPS25). Any new development should be • Investigate the feasibility of improving the existing targeted to areas with lowest flood risk. defences through the town to manage future flood risk. • Reduce the consequences of flooding by improving • Continue with the flood warning service including the public awareness of flooding and encouraging maintenance of flood warning infrastructure such as people to sign up to, and respond to, flood warnings. river flow gauging stations. Flood awareness plans will inform people about the risk of defences breaching and the actions they can take to protect themselves and their property.

The River Welland at Spalding

Environment Agency River Welland Catchment Flood Management Plan 27 Sub-area 9

Surfleet

Our key partners are: The vision and preferred policy

South Holland District Council Policy option 5: Areas of moderate to high flood risk where we can generally take further action to reduce Local residents flood risk.

Surfleet Reservoir is a unique sub-area in the Anglian Region; properties are located within the flood The issues in this sub-area embankments that protect the surrounding fenland. Surfleet Reservoir is a unique sub-area in the Anglian As these properties flood during low magnitude floods Region; properties are located within the flood and experience high flood depths which are expected embankments that protect the surrounding fenland. to increase in the future, it is important to take further Currently there is risk to 39 properties in the 1% annual action to reduce flood risk. The preferred approach is probability river flood. The 39 residential properties to take immediate action to improve flood warning and are at risk from river flooding in low magnitude floods, awareness to the community living in Sufleet Reservoir. when the flood coincides with a high tide. This results However, in the long term the most sustainable way of in backing up of the flood waters to large depths behind reducing flood risk will be to work with the community the tidal sluice. There is no agricultural land or critical and partner organisations to remove vulnerable infrastructure at risk in the 1% annual probability flood. development from the reservoir. By 2100, although there is no increase in the number of people or property at risk in Surfleet Reservoir, the depth of flooding is estimated to increase significantly. The key messages Table 11 details flood risk to people and property in this • In the short term, it is still feasible and effective sub-area. to maintain the flood defences. Table 11 Risk to people and property within the • The long term focus will be to manage the Surfleet sub-area during a 1% annual probability river consequences of flooding using flood awareness flood, taking into account current flood defences and resilience measures. Current Future • Work with the community to prepare for flooding. (2100)

Number of people at risk 94 94

Number of properties at risk 39 39

28 Environment Agency River Welland Catchment Flood Management Plan Proposed actions to implement • Work with partners to develop an emergency response the preferred policy plan to manage flooding within Surfleet Reservoir. • Develop a community based flood warning service For this unique sub-area, the policy is to take further to enable the community to produce a flood warning action to reduce flood risk by the following actions: plan. In the short term: • Encourage planners to prevent any further • Continue the current operation and maintenance development within the reservoir. of Surfleet Seas End Sluice. In the long term: • Develop a programme to prepare the community • Work with the community and partner organisations for a flood event. to relocate the settlement away from the reservoir.

The River Glen at Surfleet

Environment Agency River Welland Catchment Flood Management Plan 29 Map of CFMP policies

Map 4 The flood risk management policies for the River Welland CFMP area

30 Environment Agency River Welland Catchment Flood Management Plan Notes

Environment Agency River Welland Catchment Flood Management Plan 31 Notes

32 Environment Agency River Welland Catchment Flood Management Plan

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