NORTH COUNCIL

REPORT

PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE I Subject: FLOOD PREVENTION () ACT 1961 AS AMENDED BY THE FLOOD PREVENTION AND LAND DRAINAGE (SCOTLAND) ACT 1997 From: DIRECTOR OF PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT

1 Date: 7 December 2005 1 Ref: PEAD00097 I

1.0 Purpose of Report

This report fulfils the Council’s statutory duties under the above Act to report on measures taken and to be taken to prevent or mitigate flooding on non-agricultural land in . A copy of the full report as submitted to the Scottish Executive is held in the Members Library for information. An abbreviated report in the form of a brochure has also been prepared.

2.0 Background

This report is the fifth document published by the Department in respect of the Flooding and Land Drainage (Scotland) Act 1997. The purpose of the report is to publicise the Council’s activities since November 2003 with regard to -

0 Measures considered necessary to prevent or mitigate flooding of non-agricultural land; 0 Measures taken to prevent or mitigate flooding of non-agricultural land; and 0 A record of all instances of flooding reported to the Planning & Environment Department occurring since November 2003.

The Scottish Executive makes it clear that the primary responsibility for the protection of property lies with the owner. The statutory duties imposed on the Council to assess, where relevant maintain and report on watercourse flooding do not relieve individual riparian owners of their primary responsibility for the prevention of flooding to their property.

Even where a watercourse is being maintained in an efficient hydraulic condition this does not preclude the possibility that flooding could still occur. The duty to maintain watercourses does not extend to a duty to prevent flooding by the construction of flood defences. Any works of improvement including alteration to culverts, revetments, barriers are clearly not routine maintenance works. The promotion of schemes of improvement remain permissive and flood prevention schemes promoted under Section 4 of the Flood Prevention (Scotland) Act 1961 are subject to confirmation by the Scottish Ministers. The associated public consultation procedures are defined by statute and where objections are received schemes are open to public inquiry.

The Council’s planning policy in respect of flooding is stated in local plans. In accordance with Scottish Planning Policy (SPP) 7 there is a presumption against development where development would create or intensify the risk of flooding

3.0 Sustainability Implications

The report on measures taken, and to be taken to prevent or mitigate flooding performs well against the relevant criteria in the sustainability checklist. The main benefits arise

H.Wlooding Report to Committee 25 Nov 2005.doc through actions to prevent water pollution and enhance community safety by reducing the risk of flooding. No checklist criteria are adversely affected.

4.0 Specific Comments

Assessment of Watercourses

There are approximately 89 rivers and burns in North Lanarkshire, two main canals and 35 lochs and reservoirs. Despite the presence of so many inland water bodies, the majority flow freely and do not give rise to flooding problems. Experience in North Lanarkshire has identified the following main reasons for flood risk arising:-

0 Increased rates and volume of run off to burns and streams with restricted capacity; 0 Building of structures (e.g. embankments) which restrict flows and reduce capacity on historic flood plains creating additional flood risk; 0 Progressive development in catchments with an insufficient number and diameter of drainage pipes to cope with peak run off flows; 0 Poor maintenance of culverts, grills, screens and road gullies leading to restriction of capacity during peak flows; and 0 Watercourses and gullies becoming obstructed by flytipping and overgrown vegetation impeding channel efficiency during peak flows. 0 Discharges from overflows in the public sewer system maintained and managed by Scottish Water and subsequent interaction with receiving watercourses.

Since the last report a further 43 flood reports have been added to the register. Analysis of these reports indicates that only 30% are related to watercourses and private culverts. Of the remaining 70% many of these are related to problems with land drainage or absence of land drainage and are highly localised not involving large volumes of flood water. It should also be noted that there is no primary legislation covering the nuisance associated with surface water runoff from non-paved surfaces and it is therefore questionable that all of the instances of flooding being reported fall within the remit of the flood prevention legislation.

5. Conclusions

The publication of this report fulfils the Council’s statutory obligation in respect of reporting the measures being taken to mitigate the risk of flooding as required by the Flood Prevention (Scotland) Act 1961 as amended by the Flood Prevention and Land Drainage (Scotland) Act 1997.

6. Recommendations

It is recommended that Committee notes the contents of this report and the details contained in the full report to the Scottish Executive as held in the Members Library;

David M. Porch DIRECTOR OF PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT (25 November 2005)

For further information please contact David Miller on 01236 6181 12.

H:Flooding Report to Committee 25 Nov 2005.doc FLOOD PREVENTION HOW TO ASSIST US PREVENT STRATEGY FLOODING As part of the overall flood prevention strategy If you see any large items in a watercourse that the Council promotes the use of sustainable may cause a blockage, such as trees or masonry drainage for all new development through the please report them to Northline (01698 403110.) planning process. Council policy in respect of new development reflects the advice of Scottish Similarly blocked road gulhes or blocked Planning Policy 7 Plannmg and Floodmg. culverts below roads should be reported as a road repair to Northline (01698 403110). The Council also regularly inspects and cleans piped watercourses and associated screens. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION From the information collected to date, it For more detailed information or to report a appears the majority of North Lanarkshire’s flood event write to: reports of floodmg are related to sewer flooding or drainage systems being overwhelmed, rather Director of Planning & Environment than fluvial floodmg from rivers and burns. Fleming House 2 Tryst Road In addition to the above the Council carties out regular maintenance on its drarnage systems. G67 1Jw Over L1.1M was spent on roads related drainage for example in 2004/05. A fill copy of the two-yearly report on flood prevention may be requested by Writing to the FLOODING OTHER THAN address above. Fifth Public Report on FLUVIAL FLOODING ~ Sewer floodmg can cause significant problems ROIX OF SEPA ~ ~~ Flood Prevention in built up areas. This can arise from the The Scottish Environment Protection Agency intensity and volume of rain hom storms (SEPA) operate a public information service exceedmg the design capacity of sewers. The providing information on flooding from rivers primary responsibility for sewer flooding rests together with advice on how to prepare for and with Scottish Water. deal with floods. This is provided by a 24hour telephone help-line 0845 988 1188 called Overland floodmg is caused by the build up of Floodline. Calls are charged at a local rate. It is water on land following heavy rainfall causing also available from the SEPA website pondmg of standmg water in low lying areas. wwwsepa.0rg.uk. Such floodmg is not directly related to flow in A free information pack giving advice on how to watercourses and is the responsibility of the be prepared for floodng can be obtained by landowner concerned. (Source: Scottish phoning Floodhe or requesting it online. Executive). FLOOD PREVENTION other authorities. Less than 0.5% of properties WORKS UNDERTXKEN SINCE lie within indicative inland floodplain (Source: NOVEMBER 2003 The Flood Prevention (Scotland) Act 1961 Foresight, Future Flooding - Scotland, A sample of works carried out since (as amended) requires the Council : Werrity and Chatterton). November 2003 follows:

To assess watercourses within in their area FLOOD PREVENTION Removal of fden trees in the , from time to time to discover whether they are SCHEMES likely to cause floodmg of non-agricultural In Scotland primary responsibility for land. protecting land from flooding lies with the Camera survey of a culverted watercourse landowner. Owners are also responsible for south of Road, To carry out works to maintain watercourses the private sewers and drains within the in a due state of efficiency provided this would boundary of their property. Camera survey and cleansing of a culvert substantially reduce the risk of flooding of section of the North Bum, whinhall non-agricultural land If the Council is considering work other than maintenance and repair of watercourses, the Camera survey and cleansing of a culvert To publish every two years a report on flood work must be carried out in accordance with a section of the South Burn, Airdie miugation measures taken since the previous formal Flood Prevention Scheme. This repoq proposed future measures and a record discretionary power is subject to statutory Removal of debris and fden branches from of d instances of flooding over that period. procedure. the She1Bum, Hattonrig

These duties relate to floodmg associated with The Council must advertise the scheme in the Maintenance works to attenuation and watercourses, fluvial floodmg. This does not locality. Any person may object in writing to treatment lagoons, Allanton include floodmg from sewers or watermains. the Scottish Ministers within a three month Scottish Water is responsible for public sewers period from the date of the advertisement. If Camera survey, cleansing and repair of a and watermains. an objection from any person whose land may culverted watercourse, Plains be adversely affected by the scheme is not Camera survey and cleansing of culverts, FLOODING SINCE withdrawn, it will be considered at a Public Overtown NOVEMBER 2003 Local Inquiry. Only after this process has No major flood events have been reported to been completed will schemes be considered. Camera survey and cleansing of culvert at the Planning & Environment Department The Scottish Ministers may confirm a scheme, Road, since November 1993. Some localised with or without modifications, or refuse to floodmg has occurred although this has tended conh a scheme. Schemes are required to Cleansing of Luggie Bum Culvert, to be unrelated to watercourses. All reports of meet technical, environmental and economic floodmg received are recorded in a register criteria. (Source: Scottish Executive) Camera survey and cleansing of culverted held by the Planning & Environment watercourse at St Joseph's Cemetery, Airdiie Department.. No flood prevention schemes are currently planned however if projects meeting the Camera survey and cleansing of culverts at In broad terms the risk of fluvial flooding in criteria are identified these will be promoted. , Cumbernauld North Lanarkshire is low in comparison to NORTH LANARKSHIRE COUNCIL

Flood Prevention and Land Drainage (Scotland) Act 1997

Report on measures taken, and to be taken, to prevent or mitigate flooding on non-agricultural land in North Lanarkshire

Fifth Public Report

Planning and Environment Department November 2005

1 CONTENTS

Chapter Title Paae

-1.o Introduction 3

-2.0 Flood Prevention Strateay 4

2.1 Records and Information Databases 2.2 Assessment of Watercourses 2.3 Maintenance of Watercourses

-3.0 Identification of Measures Reauired 14

-4.0 Report of Measures Taken 14 15 75.0 Flood Prevention Works (CaDital)

5.1 Allanton 5.2 Survey and Cleansing of Culverts 5.3 Catchment Studies

-6.0 Additional Activities 16

6.1 Flood Liaison and Advice Groups (FLAGS) 6.2 Catchment Management 6.3 Society of Chief Officers of Transportation in Scotland (SCOTS) 6.4 Planning Policy 6.5 Inter Departmental Liaison Forum 6.6 SEPA Liaison Forum 6.7 Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems

-7.0 Floodina Since 2003 19

APPENDICES

Appendix A Flood Recording Form & Flood Site Assessment Design Brief

Appendix B Schedule of North Lanarkshire Watercourses I Plan of Watercourses

AppendixC Report of Measures Required, Report of Measures Taken and all Recorded Flood Sites Since 2003.

2 1.O Introduction

1.I This report is the fifth document published by North Lanarkshire Council in respect of the statutory requirements of the Flood Prevention and Land Drainage (Scotland) Act 1997. This document reports the Council’s main activities over the last two years with regard to:- 0 The measures which NLC consider necessary to prevent or mitigate the flooding of non-agricultural land. 0 The measures which NLC have taken since the date of publication of the previous report to prevent or mitigate such flooding. 0 All occurrences of flooding since publication of the November 2003 report.

1.2 The Council’s flood prevention duties are governed by four principal sources:- 1. Flood Prevention (Scotland) Act 1961; 2. SPP7 Scottish Planning Policy 7 “Planning and Flooding”; 3. The Roads (Scotland) Act 1984; and 4. The Flood Prevention and Land Drainage (Scotland) Act 1997.

1.3 The Scottish Executive clearly states that where a property floods the primary responsibility for the protection and subsequent repair of that property rests with the property owner. The statutory duties imposed on the Council to assess, where relevant maintain and report on watercourse flooding do not relieve individual riparian owners of their primary responsibility for the prevention of flooding to their property.

1.4 Even where a watercourse is maintained in an efficient hydraulic condition this does not preclude the possibility that flooding could still occur. The duty to maintain watercourses does not extend to a duty to prevent flooding where the watercourse is in an efficient hydraulic condition. Any works of improvement including alteration to culverts, revetments, barriers are clearly not routine maintenance works. The promotion of schemes of improvement remain permissive and flood prevention schemes promoted under Section 4 of the Flood Prevention (Scotland) Act 1961 remain subject to confirmation by the Scottish Ministers. The associated public consultation procedures are defined by statute and where objections are received schemes are open to public inquiry.

1.5 An overview of the natural drainage system within the authority is presented in Figure 1 shown in relation to non-agricultural land. While significant parts of the authority are drained to the west feeding into the catchment, the authority lies on the watershed within the central belt of Scotland. Surface water in parts of the authority also flows to the east to the River Forth and River Almond catchments. All surface water runoff is discharged to this natural drainage system either directly or indirectly via drains and public sewers. The adequacy of the drainage infrastructure is therefore dependent on several parties including private riparian owners and public bodies.

3 P 2.0 Flood Prevention Strategy

Flooding can manifest itself in many ways, from small pools of surface water on playing pitches through to rivers and burns busting their banks and inundating areas containing homes and businesses. The public’s perception of flooding is directly related to the flooding and its proximity to their interests, and it is this which the Council must consider when deciding to prioritise flood sites and identify areas of flood risk.

Critical to the preparation of an effective flood prevention strategy is the promotion of sustainable new development through the planning process together with the identification and recording of flooding locations and their cause.

Council policy in respect of new development reflects the advice of SPP7. Therefore local plans clearly indicate that development will not be permitted where it would create or intensify the risk of flooding. A single local plan for the entire authority is being developed which will incorporate the Council’s policy on flooding.

From the information collected to date, it is clear the majority of North Lanarkshire’s flooding problems result from existing sewer flooding or drainage systems being overwhelmed, rather than fluvial flooding from rivers and burns. The projected increase in rainfall from climate change will have an important impact on flood risk.

Due to the multi-departmental responsibility for maintenance of watercourses in terms of the legislation it is considered that there is a need for improved co- ordination and a more proactive approach to flooding not only at a departmental level but also with external agencies. This is consistent with the findings of the multi- agency report task group on the flooding of the east end of on 30 July 2002.

2.1 Flood Records and Information Databases

Since local government reorganisation in April 1996, information on flooding has been gathered from a number of sources with some discrepancies occurring between different recording mechanisms. The Planning and Environment Department has been given responsibility for co-ordinating flood recording. The Department has an established standard flood site recording proforma to be used by all Departments recording instances of flooding. The information from these records establishes the existing data baseline for flood occurrence and severity in North Lanarkshire.

The instances of flooding in North Lanarkshire since November 1997 have been recorded and where possible allocated a priority for action as noted below.

5 Classification of Flood Sites in North Lanarkshire Priority 1 Sites - Recorded flooding which will cause danger to life and limb, or internal flooding of property, or involve potential risk and liability.

Priority 2 Sites - Flood regularly but involve no immediate danger to persons or internal flooding of property but may involve costs and disruption.

Priority 3 Sites - All other recorded flood sites.

Since the last report in 2003 there have been a further 43 reports of flooding added to the register of flood sites across North Lanarkshire. These sites have been recorded by the Housing & Property, Community Services and Planning and Environment Departments. The quality of information on the nature and extent of flooding is variable and it is debatable whether some of the reported incidents fall within the remit of the flood prevention legislation. In some cases it is clear that the flooding is unrelated to fluvial flooding or sewer flooding and is in fact due to the absence of land drainage. Other instances are related to sewer flooding. The primary responsibility for sewer or watermain flooding rests with Scottish Water. The duties imposed by the Flood Prevention and Land Drainage (Scotland) Act 1997 do not extend to sewer flooding or burst watermains. SPP7 also highlights that the landowner is responsible for the private drains/sewers within the boundary of their property.

The identification of the sites through the Flood Recording Form has also allowed the information to be geographically identified using the Council's Geographic Information System. The interpretation of this information on a visual medium provides a useful internal tool when strategically analysing the distribution of flooding incidents throughout the geographical remit of North Lanarkshire. The distribution of flood reports added to the register in the last two years is presented in Figure 2. The cumulative distribution of flood reports received by Planning & Environment is presented in Figure 3. The location of the flood sites is overlain onto the principal watercourses and built-up areas within the authority.

In the last two years no major flood event was experienced. The greatest number of houses affected in a single flood event was four properties in Kilsyth following heavy rain over the 29 and 30 November 2003. This is believed to have been linked to a temporary culvert constructed across the Ebroch Burn to provide access to residential development .

A copy of the North Lanarkshire Council standard Flood Recording Form is contained in Appendix A. The flow diagram (Flowchart 1) outlines the procedures adopted for flood recording in North Lanarkshire.

6 L

VN 8

V N Flowchart 1

The Flood Recording Process in North Lanarkshire

Works undertaken after allsatlon of budge$ by the client defmrtmeaad: 3

9 2.2 Assessment of Watercourses

There are approximately 89 rivers and burns in North Lanarkshire, two main canals and 35 lochs and reservoirs. These watercourses are mapped and listed in Appendix B for information.

Despite the presence of so many inland water bodies the majority flow freely and do not give rise to flooding problems, Experience in North Lanarkshire has identified the following main reasons for flood risk arising:-

0 increased rates and volume of run off to burns and streams with restricted capacity; e building of structures (e.g. embankments) which restrict flows and historical flood plains creating additional flood risk; e progressive development in catchment with an insufficient number and diameter of drainage pipes to cope with peak run off flows; e insufficient maintenance of culverts, grills, screens and road gullies leading to restriction of capacity during peak flows; and 0 watercourses and gullies becoming obstructed by fly tipping and overgrown vegetation impeding channel efficiency during peak flows.

A standard methodology has been developed for the assessment of watercourses in North Lanarkshire. The approach detailed below is undertaken by the Council's Design Services Section for every site reported by means of a flood recording form:-

Methodology for Watercourse Assessment

e identification of type of watercourse (river, burn, culvert, drain, gully) 0 investigation (CCTV, Topographic and Hydraulic surveys) to identify cause of flooding; 0 confirm prioritisation of flood site; 0 effect on adjacent drainage infrastructure; and 0 costed recommendations for remedial action.

From data collected it is clear that North Lanarkshire does not experience regular, severe flooding of non-agricultural land. The majority of flooding problems identified arise due to excessive run off to a restricted drainage system leading to system surcharge.

2.3 Maintenance of Watercourses Watercourses in North Lanarkshire

For most of the time watercourses operate satisfactorily. The topography of North Lanarkshire is such that relatively few significant watercourse flooding problems exist. Major, and many minor, watercourses flow in relatively deeply incised river valleys in which, sensibly, little or no development has taken place. During, and after, significant precipitation events therefore, the river can rise, occupy its 'flood plain' and then subside, without causing any significant harm.

10

This river forms the boundary between North Lanarkshire and , between the outskirts of and Kilsyth, and is wholly contained within North Lanarkshire in the vicinity of Kilsyth. The Kelvin is in many ways an exception to a typical river in North Lanarkshire, in that it flows through a relatively wide flat valley, within which some development has taken place. No flooding associated with the River Kelvin has been reported in the last two years.

River Clyde

This major river forms the boundary between North Lanarkshire and from the vicinity of downstream to the M74 near . On the North Lanarkshire bank, flooding occurs at Park, and from Lower Carbarns Farm to, and including, the R.S.P.B. reserve at Barons Haugh. These areas of flooding comprise the natural 'flood plain' of the river. No flooding associated with the River Clyde has been reported in the last two years.

North Calder Water

This river is located in the central part of the authority and flows from the eastern boundary in a westerly direction ultimately discharging to the River Clyde. Much of the river flows in an incised valley with residential development typically well above the river level. No flooding associated with the North Calder has been reported in the last two years.

South Calder Water

The flows generally in an east-west direction feeding Strathclyde Loch next to the River Clyde. Historic flooding has occurred opposite the Todhole Burn outfall at and at Calder Park. No flooding associated with the South Calder Water has been reported in the last two years.

South Burn/Luggie Burn

This watercourse system, located in Airdrie and Coatbridge, has been surveyed. Problems have previously been identified, in culverted sections (mainly the partial obstruction of the culvert by debris of various kinds) and considerable survey and cleaning operations have been undertaken. Grills to the culvert system are regularly inspected and cleaned particularly when heavy rain is forecast.

It should be noted that watercourses, particularly those in urban areas, are particularly prone to interference by vandals and others. Open stretches of streams are used inappropriately as rubbish dumps, and typically, when a rainstorm occurs, debris is washed downstream, which could cause blockage of culverted sections, either by accumulating on screens, if fitted, or, by becoming jammed at some point within the culvert. For this reason regular inspections and debris removal operations should be undertaken. Efforts continue to be made, at considerable cost, to remove

11 troublesome debris. No flooding directly associated to the South Burn and Luggie Water has been reported since the last report.

Browns Burn

Browns Burn is heavily urbanised and for the majority of its length is carried in culvert. The entire section of watercourse that passes through is in culvert which was undertaken at some time in the past. The land on either side of the culvert is almost completely developed and the culvert now lies below residential roads within the housing estate for most of its length. It seems likely the watercourse was culverted to permit development of the residential area of Craigneuk however there is now little scope to return the watercourse to a more natural condition. The situation is further complicated by combined sewer overflows that have been connected to the culverted watercourse.

While widespread flooding has not occurred there have been localised flooding problems in Craigneuk. The Council has surveyed the Browns Burn culvert and ensured that the culvert is in good hydraulic condition. It is believed that the flooding experienced in Craigneuk is related to the sewers rather than the watercourse culvert. The Council is working in partnership with Scottish Water to identify possible solutions.

Luggie Water

The Luggie Water has a comparatively large catchment area in the northern area of the authority. Historic flooding has been experienced at the western margins of Condorrat. New residential development was submitted to the Planning Authority in this area immediately next to the watercourse. This development would have fallen within the floodplain. Permission to develop has not been granted. No flooding associated with the Luggie Water has been reported since the last statutory report.

All channels for the conveyance of water whether naturally occurring or engineered require maintenance to ensure their efficiency and integrity. However even where watercourses are in an efficient hydraulic condition flooding may still arise in extreme weather conditions. The results of watercourse assessment can be used for immediate intervention with maintenance measures where critical, while non-priority assessments are put forward for a programme of maintenance works.

Priority is given to flood sites where a problem has been identified but no programme of work (i.e. regular maintenance) has been developed. As has been seen with maintenance programmes already in place, the type of flooding problem occurring dictates the work undertaken to prevent or mitigate flooding.

12 Responsibility for routine and cyclic maintenance of drainage systems falls to several departments including Planning & Environment, Community Services and Housing and Property Services.

The majority of watercourse maintenance works undertaken by the Traffic & Transportation function at present comprise:-

0 clearance of road drainage systems including gully pots, silt traps and channels to ensure free drainage; and, 0 periodic inspection of culvert grills and clearance and removal of debris and vegetation from watercourses. 0 a programme of investigation and cleansing of urban culverts

Following the publication of the new Code of Practice for Maintenance Management it is intended to undertake a review of policy on cyclic and other roads related drainage works to determine if the current level of service needs to be amended to meet the recommendations and if so the implications for the revenue budget.

A summary of some of the maintenance arrangements implemented by the Traffic & Transportation function are given below;

0 Large culverts inspected every 12 months and cleared twice annually, once should be before winter. 0 Inspect filter drains once every five years. 0 Ditches and gullies dug out and cleared of vegetation when required. 0 Piped drains inspected and cleared out when required but not more than 10 year intervals. 0 Any obvious difficulties should be identified during routine road and bridge maintenance.

Local variations can result in inspections, clearance and maintenance occurring more frequently than indicated.

The cost of carrying out cyclic gully cleaning during financial year 2004/2005 was f469,OOO. This included the cost of specialist vehicles. A further f642,OOO was spent on other roads related drainage works giving a total revenue expenditure of f 1,111,000 on roads related drainage in 2004/2005.

13 3.0 Identification of Measures Required

A summary of the main measures required is given below. These measures exclude any existing maintenance arrangements.

CCTV surveys of drainage systems. 0 Hydrological and topographical surveys of watercourses and drainage systems. Re-grading and design of watercourses and ditches. Provision of additional drainage infrastructure. Jetting of drainage systems. Clearance of watercourses, manholes, ditches of obstructions and vegetation. Provision of new outfalls, culverts, grills and screens. Grill and screen clearance and re-design. Provision of regular maintenance and inspection regime.

Subject to financial resources being available improved information on hydraulic capacity of watercourses is required. A long term objective is to establish a hydraulic model for all natural watercourses in the authority. It is intended that a programme of studies be instigated to work towards this objective. An initial scoping study for the Luggie Burn/South Burn catchment has been completed with a view to progressing a full catchment study.

The Council are working with Scottish Water to identify the interaction between the public sewer system and watercourses within the authority so that solutions are identified to addresses this complex issue.

4.0 Report of Measures Taken

Appendix C includes a report of flood mitigation and drainage measures undertaken by North Lanarkshire Council since November 2003. The principal types of works designed and implemented are similar to those identified in Section 3.0

14 5.0 Flood Prevention Works - Capital Schemes

5.1 Allanton Mine Water Rebound and Ferruginous Breakout of Water

There has been an on-going problem of rebound of groundwater following the abandonment of pumping from the Kingshill colliery. Numerous piecemeal remedial works have been undertaken at this location providing localised relief but doing little to solve the overall drainage and pollution problems. To address this situation the Council have in consultation with SEPA, commissioned consultants Jacobs Babtie to investigate the developing artesian conditions and contaminated groundwater.

The initial stage of the works involved improvements to a reed bed filter system in the former colliery lagoons, providing passive treatment (settlement) for contaminated minewater from Kingshill collieries. Further works have been undertaken to prolong the life of the lagoon system and to enhance the aeration of the contaminated minewater entering the system. These works included a new cascade and removal of ferruginous sediment from two of the four lagoons. The latter ensured that the storage capacity for attenuation is maintained.

5.2 Survey and Cleansing of Culverts

North Lanarkshire Council has a number of watercourses that negotiate the urbanised areas of the existing towns. A substantial programme of CCTV survey and cleaning operations have been carried out.

The information collected allowed a number of issues to be identified:-

a) capacity constraints b) illegal connections c) blockages d) repair works

Some of these issues were directly resolved as part of the CCTV survey/cleaning, with subsequent works to be identified for future implementation.

5.3 Catchment Studies

A scoping study of the Luggie Water and South Burn catchment has been carried out as a precursor to a more detailed study.

15 6.0 Additional Activities

6.1 Flood Liaison and Advice Groups (FLAGS)

The consequences of actions taken to prevent flooding or the effects of new development may be felt most acutely by other authorities either up or downstream of the actions. The need to work in partnership and co-ordinate with other organisations is important and SPP7 clearly states it is Scottish Executive policy that every Council should convene a Flood Liaison and Advice Group.

In this respect North Lanarkshire Council plays an active role in the River Kelvin, River Clyde FLAG’S. North Lanarkshire Council has also been represented on the and River Almond FLAG’s.

The Council is also represented on the Glasgow and Clyde Valley Structure Plan Strategic FLAG. The remit and purpose of these groups is to consider and advise on the effect of development on flood risk and to develop and promote policy guidance in line with the provisions of SPP7.

6.2 Catchment Management

North Lanarkshire Council is a member of the River Almond Catchment Management Plan, which has been established by a partnership of organisations led by West Lothian Council. The partnerships main aim is to improve overall water quality and enhance riparian habitats in the Almond catchment.

The River Clyde Flood Management Strategy, promoted by and other agencies is considering the hydrology of the entire River Clyde catchment. North Lanarkshire Council is participating in the inter-authority steering group and has met with the consultants developing the strategy. The Council has also provided information and staff time in support of the study. The information gained from this study is to be shared with the various local authorities involved in the group and the hydrological study will contain information pertinent to North Lanarkshire.

6.3 Society of Chief Officers of Transportation in Scotland (SCOTS)

North Lanarkshire Council attend the flooding sub-group, which has been established to examine the statutory position of local authorities regarding flooding. The Group is to produce relevant guidance on best practice and has produced reports on the following topics including:-

0 Legislative Framework; 0 Funding; 0 Planning Perspective; 0 Emergency Planning; 0 Development Control Guidance Note On Flood Risk

The group is also in the process of finalising a report providing guidance on watercourse management.

16 6.4 Planning Policy

The exercising of effective planning policy is a significant means of promoting sustainable development and, therefore, managing the threat of flooding and flood risk. North Lanarkshire Council has developed criteria to consider the effect of flood risk, and provision of suitable drainage infrastructure.

The Council also works closely with SEPA (where relevant) to ensure development decisions benefit from a hydrological assessment of flood risk. These arrangements have been formalised by the SEPA - Planning Authority Protocol on Flooding Issues. This Protocol helps clarify the respective responsibilities in dealing with flood risk aspects of planning applications.

The Scottish Executive has published guidance in the form of Planning Advice Note 61 (PAN61) Planning and Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems. This provides advice on good practice to development control teams in respect of drainage strategy and flood studies that should be submitted by developers at outline and full planning application stages.

The existing regulatory pressures and the timescale involved in reviewing planning policy documents results in few up-to-date local plan policies on flooding. As the local plan policy review process continues policies on flooding and implementation of SUDS will be incorporated into a new single Local Plan for the whole authority. An example of the Council’s most recent policy on flooding is given below.

Policv ENV 9 Floodinq Where development is proposed in areas with a history of flooding, the Council will require a statement from the applicant showing measures to ameliorate the effects of flooding, both within the site and in other areas where flooding is likely to be aggravated by the development. This statement will normally be required prior to the granting of detailed planning permission for the development. Development will not normally be permitted where it would create or intensify an unmanageable risk of flooding. Source: Southern Area Local Plan Finalised Draft, September 1998

The Scottish Executive has invested in a digital terrain model developed from radar imaging. This information is being made available to local authorities for planning purposes to assist in flood risk assessment and is also being made available to SEPA to permit the generation of flood risk maps that will be available in due course. While the model will be of limited value in existing urbanised areas the provision of the terrain model and flood risk maps is to be welcomed and will assist in identifying where specific flood risk studies should be undertaken. Similarly the Scottish Executive is supporting the production of new indicative flood risk maps that will be made available to the public.

6.5 Interdepartmental Liaison Forum

The diverse land ownership pattern, in conjunction with inter-departmental responsibilities, has driven North Lanarkshire Council to set up a liaison forum. All bodies with an ownershiphtatutory interests, and therefore responsibilities on flood prevention, regularly meet to exchange information, resolve and co-ordinate a corporate approach on outstanding flooding issues.

17 6.6 Scottish Water Technical Liaison Group

The Council meets representatives of Scottish Water to identify flooding locations and exchange information. The Group recognises the complex interaction between the public sewerage system and natural watercourses. One of the objectives of this Group is to try to identify solutions to flooding on a multi-agency basis and identify the respective contribution of the various types of flooding i.e.

0 watercourse flooding 0 sewer flooding 0 roads flooding 0 surface water run-off flooding from non-paved areas

While there are statutory responsibilities imposed on the Council and Scottish Water in respect of the first three types of flooding there is no primary legislation in respect of surface water run-off from non-paved areas.

Scottish Water has appointed consultants to undertake a study of the principal sewer treatment/drainage catchments following the flood event of 30 July 2002 in Glasgow. The catchment, which forms part of this study, includes part of Coatbridge and Airdrie. North Lanarkshire Council has met with the consultant preparing the Glasgow Strategic Drainage Study Report and provided information and staff time in support of this project. The implications arising from this report will be considered as part of the continuing dialogue with Scottish Water.

6.7 Sustainable Urban Drainage (SUDS)

North Lanarkshire Council recognises the benefits which could be accrued through the implementation/wider acceptance of SUDS. Whilst it is recognised that SUDS are not a flood defence they can play an important role in mitigating the risk of flooding. It is also recognised that capacity constraints in the overall drainage system, whether in the public sewerage system or natural watercourses, mean that new development will need to ensure that surface water run-off does not exceed pre-development levels.

North Lanarkshire Council is implementing the principles of SUDS through planning conditions imposed on new development, which will assist in the further promotion of SUDS throughout the authority.

18 7.0 Flooding Instances Since 2003

Appendix C details all recorded instances of flooding to non-agricultural land within North Lanarkshire since November 2003 (42 sites). Many of these are unrelated to fluvial flooding and it is noted that land drainage problems in gardens continue to be reported as flooding. Land drainage issues are the single largest source of flood reports. The absence of land drainage is outwith the scope of the flooding legislation and is the responsibility of the landowner. A breakdown of the reports received is illustrated in Figure 4 below. Only 30% of reports received relate to fluvial flooding involving watercourses and private culverts.

Flooding 2003-2005 by Type Figure 4

Watercourse 23%

Private CUI 7%

Road C

Sewer/WatermaiiI

J 70 Overland Construction 3% 5%

19 APPENDIX A

EXAMPLE OF COUNCIL FLOOD RECORDING FORM

i rkshire Council Flooding Site Council Recording Form

Iloes the site have % history of flooding?

ii APPENDIX B

~

iii RIVERS AND BURNS Source Source Easting Northing

River Clyde 279882 651 124

River Kelvin 275794 678283 Cult Burn 265279 669528 Bothlin Burn 270425 668362 Burn 26421 6 668286 Luggie Water 279565 67241 1 Mollins Burn 27 1 646 6691 72 Moss Burn 273282 67261 9 Board Burn 270840 67401 5 Gain Burn 272443 669863 Deer Burn 2741 91 670907 Shank Burn 275996 669282 Mill Lade (Shank Burn) 275423 671 324 Cameron Burn 278695 670499 Hailstane Burn 266946 679957

Queenzie Burn 269208 677544

Dock Water 271 304 677878

Garrell Burn 267650 680753

Ebroch Burn 27241 5 6781 40 Colzium Burn 27241 1 679865 Canal Feeder 272004 678425 Bachille Burn 269528 679803 Chanticleer Burn 274839 676463 Banton Burn 271 159 68091 1 Brambler Burn 2742 1 3 679423 Drum Burn 273235 679261 Craigdouffie Burn 274333 680776 Bonny Water 278383 678534 Burn 276255 679350 Doups Burn 277960 678983 277070 674290 Glencryan Burn 2781 94 673669 Bog Stank 275836 675527 Walton Burn 28261 5 675952

Avon Water 280377 669786 Sheilhill Burn 279539 670887 Garbethill Burn 283801 675507

Rashiehill Burn 281 91 8 670324 River Avon 287896 662568 286450 669632 Ravel Burn 270320 662588 Luggie Burn 2731 21 665023

iv Bishop Burn 27081 5 6651 23 Burginsholme Burn 271 970 665239 Gartsherrie Burn 27291 1 666931 Gartverrie Burn 273864 6681 30 North Burn 2781 61 667568 South Burn 275869 665263 Red Burn 2721 37 661 21 9 Shirrel Burn 274891 660566 Burn 27631 4 659956 Legbrannock Burn 279423 660776 Kennel Burn 27781 8 661 856 Brown’s Burn 2771 51 664522 Burn 285472 6631 51 Clattering Burn 280535 663902 Browns Burn 2821 08 6648 1 5 Arden Glen 280522 668660 Mill Lade (North Calder 282435 667660 Water) Shields Burn 284780 668790 South Calder Water 291 267 661 21 0 Car Sike 274257 659438 Tillan Burn 283904 660735 Auchter Water 287951 65451 8 Rumbling Sikes 2861 55 656 1 60 Coal Burn 2861 24 657779 Curry Burn 286065 661 785 Blind Burn 2891 31 658305 Breich Water 29201 9 658566 Lingore Linn 290246 658466 Kitchen Linn 29041 4 657031 Darmead Linn 290241 655225 Garrion Burn 282763 653561 Gowkthrapple Burn / 279787 653439 Hall Gill Adders’ Gill 27651 4 654760 Dalzell Burn 276521 655488 Whinny Burn 276992 655299 Myers Burn 269803 661 196 Forrestburn Water 284304 66473 1 Barbauchlaw Burn 287720 665961 How Burn 288073 66421 4 Black Moss Burn 292687 666977 Faughlin Burn 27201 9 681 756 Slachristock Burn 271 788 681 567 March Burn 269952 681 458 Clacharie Burn 269945 6821 96 Bin Burn 26791 4 6821 02 Braes Burn 269753 681 750

V Canals

Forth & Clyde 271 798 676754 Canal Feeder (Forth & 272000 677388 Clyde) Monklands 270307 6651 05 Canal Feeder 272920 665659 (Monklands)

Loch/Reservoir

Carron Valley Reservoir 270796 683552 Birken burn Reservoir 267426 680537 Reservoir 273952 678584 Reservoir 2691 71 677940 Loch 27201 1 6771 74 Reservoir 274807 676403 Broadwood Loch 272372 673670 Fannyside Lochs (Large) 280033 673460 Fannyside Lochs (Small) 280725 673641 Glenhove Reservoir (Covered) 276755 672223 Gadloch 264898 671 032 Johnston Loch 269665 668598 Garnqueen Loch 271 804 668704 Reservoir (Covered) 28371 5 669641 Black Loch (Outwith NLC) 286099 669936 Stanrigg Reservoir 278955 668221 Frankfield Loch (Outwith NLC) 265559 667830 Bishop Loch (Outwith NLC) 268973 666921 Woodend Loch 270498 666761 Lochend Loch 270538 666232 Reservoir 277741 66663 1 Hillend Reservoir 283700 667522 Lilly Loch 282 1 83 666584 Forrestbu rn Reservoir 286633 664732 Roughrigg Reservoir 281 066 664085 Reservoir (Covered) 286280 663254 Riven Loch 283079 6621 02 Reservoir 279408 661 654 Reservoir (Covered) 28791 4 661 239 Reservoir 291 101 660961 Reservoir 291 235 660586 Lake 288778 66041 9 Strathclyde Loch 272742 657295 Redmire Loch 285907 656553 Reservoir 280554 654088

vi APPENDIX C

REPORT OF MEASURES TAKEN

-al LIST OF ALL SITES FLOODED SINCE 2003

vii Works Undertaken Since Last Statutory Report

The following does not include routine and cyclic maintenance works undertaken by the Roads Function of Planning and Environment, the Grounds Maintenance Function of Community Services and the Housing Repairs Function of Housing & Property Services. All flood records split into Planning and Environment Department sites (Northern, Central and Southern Divisions) Housing and Property Department sites and Community Services Department sites.

ix