Anglian River Basin District Flood Risk Management Plan 2015 - 2021 PART A – Background and River Basin District wide information
March 2016
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Published by: Environment Agency Further copies of this report are available Horizon house, Deanery Road, from the Environment Agency’s publications Bristol BS1 5AH catalogue: www.gov.uk/government/publications Email: [email protected] or the Environment Agency’s National Customer www.gov.uk/environment-agency Contact Centre: T: 03708 506506 © Environment Agency 2016 Email: [email protected]. All rights reserved. This document may be reproduced with prior permission of the Environment Agency.
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Anglian River Basin District Flood Risk Management Plan December 2015 - 2021
Tidal surge, Skegness, Great Barford Bridge, Surface water flooding, Braintree Lincolnshire Bedfordshire Essex
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This is a joint plan prepared by the following risk management authorities:
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Foreword
The 2013/14 and 2015/16 winter storms and flooding had significant impacts on some communities, businesses, infrastructure, rural areasand the environment. Evidence suggests there could be more extremes in the weather with a changing climate leading to more frequent and more severe flooding. During December 2015, Storms Desmond, Eva and Frank brought record breaking rainfall levels and significant flooding to some parts of the UK. Over 19,000 homes and businesses were flooded, with thousands more affected by loss of power supply and travel disruption. Existing flood defences played an essential part in protecting thousands of homes during December with 12,500 benefitting during Storm Desmond and 10,900 during Storm Eva. Support is in place for affected communities, business and the agricultural sector, along with a programme of inspections and repairs to damaged defences. These December 2015 flood events have emphasised the need to be sure we have the very best possible plans in place for flood management across the whole country. Risk Management Authorities (RMAs) are committed to producing Flood Risk Management Plans (FRMPs) required by the EU Floods Directive. This FRMP is an important part of meeting that objective and aligns with the Defra Strategy and guiding principles of the National Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management Strategy. The FRMP will provide the evidence to support decision making. The FRMP will also help promote a greater awareness and understanding of the risks of flooding, particularly in those communities at high risk, and encourage and enable householders, businesses and communities to take action to manage the risks. The highest priority is to reduce risk to life. Measures (actions) in individual FRMPs do not all have secured funding and are not guaranteed to be implemented. Money is allocated to all RMA measures in the same way, based on current Government policy that gives the highest priority to lives and homes. This FRMP brings together for the first time measures to address all sources of flooding in the Anglian. It is based on the most up-to-date information available at the point of publication. Measures in the FRMP are the starting point for RMA decision making and delivery. As part of on- going strategic planning additional measures will be included in RMAs and other partners work programmes between 2015 - 2021, although the FRMP will not be updated. FCRM strategic planning is a continuous process and informs RMA decision making and will be the basis for the 2nd cycle FRMPs. This document has been produced in consultation with professional partners. The Flood Risk Management Plan (FRMP) sets out the proposed measures to manage flood risk in the Anglian River Basin District from 2015 to 2021. This plan should be read in conjunction with the following: Lead Local Flood Authority Local Strategies listed in Annex 1 In England, RMAs include the Environment Agency, Lead Local Flood Authorities (LLFAs), district councils (where there are no unitary authorities), internal drainage boards, water companies and highway authorities. These RMAs work in partnership with communities to reduce the risk of flooding. The Environment Agency would like to thank the organisations listed on the previous pages for their contributions and feedback during consultation. Flood risk in England will continue to change as a result of a growing population and a changing climate. There are many ways to manage flood risk including maintaining and building new flood defences, building flood resilient homes and working more closely with nature to restore flood plains. Flood risk management planning is not new and RMAs have been able to draw on the experience of partners and earlier plans. Following the December 2015 floods, Defra announced a National Flood Resilience Review, to assess how the country can be better protected from future flooding and increasingly extreme weather events. The review is looking at climate modelling, infrastructure, resilience and future investment strategy. Government is also working to strengthen or establish partnerships in the 5 of 86
areas most flood affected to encourage a more integrated approach to managing risk across the whole catchment. These partnerships are considering improvements to flood defences, upstream options to help slow the flow and surface water runoff, and how planning and design of urban areas can help reduce flood risk. They are also aiming to build stronger links between local residents, community groups and flood management planning and decision making. The resulting actions from the Local Flood Partnerships in Cumbria and Yorkshire will complement the measures in the relevant FRMPs and the learning from this approach will be shared across the country. In England, the Government is investing £2.3bn on 1,500 flood defence schemes between 2015- 2021. Investment in flood risk management infrastructure not only reduces the risks of flooding but also supports growth by helping to create new jobs, bringing confidence to areas previously affected by floods and creating and restoring habitats. The FRMP also sets out how these proposed measures can contribute to improving the environment and how they support the objectives of River Basin Management Plans (RBMPs) and specifically the Anglian RBMP that the Environment Agency has produced in parallel with this FRMP. Both flood risk management and river basin planning form an important part of a collaborative and integrated approach to catchment planning for water. Building on this essential work, and in the context of the Governments 25-year environment plan, we aim to move towards more integrated planning for the environment over the next cycle. This will be done on a catchment basis and will draw together and integrate objectives for flood risk management, water management, and biodiversity, with the aim of maximising the multiple benefits that can be achieved.
Howard Davidson
Director of Operations, South East
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Contents
Glossary and abbreviations ...... 10 The format of the flood risk management plan ...... 13 The layout of this document ...... 13 Section 1: What is flood risk and who manages it? ...... 13 Section 2: What is a flood risk management plan? ...... 13 Section 3: How the plan has been developed ...... 13 Section 4: how to manage risk ...... 13 Section 5: Getting to know the river basin district ...... 14 Section 6: Key flood risk issues in the river basin district ...... 14 Section 7: the sub-areas ...... 14 Section 8: Conclusions, objectives and measures ...... 14 Section 9: implementing the plan, monitoring and reporting ...... 14 Find out more ...... 14 1. What is flood risk and who manages it? ...... 15 What is the likelihood of this happening and what does this mean?...... 15 Roles and Responsibilities ...... 16 Existing flood management schemes and properties protected ...... 18 Flood Risk Information ...... 18 Flooding from rivers and the sea ...... 18 Flooding from reservoirs ...... 19 Flooding from surface water ...... 19 2. What is a Flood Risk Management Plan? ...... 20 What is the flood risk management plan for? ...... 20 Why are flood risk management plans being prepared? ...... 20 What the plan does ...... 20 What types of flood risk are included in the flood risk management plan? ...... 22 3. How the plan has been developed ...... 25 The approach to developing flood risk management plans ...... 25 Consultation and engagement ...... 26 Objective Setting ...... 26 Six year investment programme ...... 27 Long Term Investment Scenarios (LTIS) ...... 27 Flood and coastal risk management and agriculture ...... 27 Strategic Environmental Assessment and Habitats Regulations ...... 28 How flood risk management plans have been co-ordinated with river basin management planning (RBMP) ...... 28 4. How to manage risk ...... 29 National flood and coastal erosion risk management strategy for England ...... 29 7 of 86
Measures for managing risk ...... 30 Flood risk management activities ...... 30 Working with Communities ...... 32 Partnership Working ...... 33 Catchment based approach...... 34 Internal Drainage Boards ...... 35 5. Getting to know the Anglian River Basin District ...... 36 Introduction ...... 36 Water ...... 38 Flood risk management systems and drainage...... 38 Climate and climate change adaptation ...... 39 Coastal erosion risk management ...... 40 Marine and Coastal Access Act (2009) ...... 41 Coastal Squeeze ...... 41 Society and health ...... 42 Land use ...... 42 Economic activity ...... 45 Recreation and tourism ...... 45 Infrastructure ...... 45 Landscape ...... 46 Biodiversity ...... 47 Cultural heritage ...... 47 Geology ...... 47 Soil ...... 48 6. Key Flood Risk Issues in the Anglian River Basin District ...... 49 Flood History ...... 50 Flood risk from rivers and sea ...... 53 Flood risk from Reservoirs ...... 57 Flood risk from Surface water ...... 61 Groundwater Flood Risk ...... 68 Canal Flood Risk ...... 68 Sewer Flood Risk ...... 69 7. Sub-areas in the Anglian river basin district ...... 70 Introduction ...... 70 Flood Risk Areas ...... 70 Management Catchments ...... 70 Strategic Area of the Fens ...... 70 8. Conclusions, objectives and measures to manage risk for the Anglian River Basin District ...... 73 Conclusions ...... 73
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Objectives to manage risk for the Anglian River basin District: ...... 75 Measures across the Anglian River Basin District ...... 76 Flood Risk Management Plan contributing to broader benefits ...... 78 9. Implementing the plan ...... 85 The Catchment based approach ...... 85 Monitoring delivery of measures ...... 85
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Glossary and abbreviations
AONB Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Catchment The watershed of a surface water river system Catchment Managing the land to reduce surface water run-off, and the Sensitive resulting pollution and siltation of watercourses. Farming CFMP Catchment Flood Management Plan Coastal Groups Voluntary coastal defence groups made up of maritime district authorities and other bodies with coastal defence responsibilities. DCLG Department for Communities and Local Government Defra Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs EIA Environmental Impact Assessment EPR Environmental Protection Regulations EU European Union FCERM Flood and coastal erosion risk management Floods Directive The European Floods Directive (2007/60/EC) on the assessment and management of flood risks. Flood Risk Area Areas where the risk of flooding from local flood risks is (FRA) significant as designated under the Flood Risk Regulations. Fluvial From/of rivers. FRM Flood Risk Management FRMP Flood Risk Management Plan – plan produced to deliver the requirements of the Flood Risk Regulations. Government The term government is used within this report to refer to Defra (the Department for Environment, Flood and Rural Affairs) and Welsh Government. Groundwater Occurs when water levels in the ground rise above the natural flooding surface. Low-lying areas underlain by permeable strata are particularly susceptible. Ha Hectares HRA Habitats Regulations Assessment: an assessment undertaken in relation to a site designated under the Habitats and Birds Directives IDB Internal Drainage Board LEP Local Enterprise Partnership Liaison Panel Each RBD has a Liaison Panel made up of representatives for the (LP) key sectors to steer the River Basin Management Plan. Members bring their experience, knowledge and their sector views acting as a two-way channel between the panel and their sector. LLFA Lead Local Flood Authority
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Local FRM Local flood risk management strategy produced by LLFAs under Strategy the Flood and Water Management Act 2010. Main river A watercourse shown as such on the main river map, and for which the Environment Agency and Natural Resources Wales has responsibilities and powers NAFRA National Flood Risk Assessment National FCERM National flood and coastal erosion risk management strategy: Strategy these are strategies prepared under the Flood and Water Management Act 2010, by the Environment Agency for England and by Welsh Government for Wales. NNR National Nature Reserve NPPF National Planning Policy Framework Ofwat Ofwat (The Water Services Regulation Authority) is the economic regulator of the water sector in England and Wales. Their role is to help the sector build trust and confidence with customers, the environment and wider society. PFRA Preliminary Flood Risk Assessment – these were required to be published by December 2011 and were the first stage in delivering the Regulations. Ramsar Wetlands of international importance designated under the Ramsar Convention River Basin These are the reporting units to the European Commission for District (RBD) the Water Framework Directive and the Floods Directive. RBMP River Basin Management Plan – plan required by the European Water Framework Directive to improve the water quality and health of rivers, estuaries and the sea. Reservoir A natural or artificial lake where water is collected and stored until needed. Reservoirs can be used for irrigation, recreation, providing water supply for municipal needs, hydroelectric power or controlling water flow. Risk Organisations that have a key role in flood and coastal erosion Management risk management as defined by the Act. These are the Authorities Environment Agency, Natural Resources Wales, LLFAs, district (RMAs) councils where there is no unitary authority, internal drainage boards, water companies, and highways authorities. RFCCs Regional Flood and Coastal Committees River flooding Occurs when water levels in a channel overwhelms the capacity of the channel. SAC Special Area of Conservation SAM Scheduled Ancient Monument SEA Strategic Environmental Assessment Services Services include schools, hospitals, nursing/care/retirement homes, police stations, fire and ambulance stations, prisons, sewerage treatment works and electricity installations. Only those in areas at risk of flooding are shown on these maps. SMP Shoreline Management Plan
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SPA Special Protection Area SSSI Site of Special Scientific Interest Standard of The annual probability of the design flood level being reach or Protection exceeded SuDS Sustainable Drainage Systems Sewer Flooding Flooding as a result of overloading of the sewerage system due to limited system capacity or failure of sewer asset. Surface water Flooding from rainwater (including snow and other precipitation) flooding which has not entered a watercourse, drainage system or public sewer. SWMP Surface Water Management Plan Tributaries A river or stream flowing into a larger river or lake. WFD Water Framework Directive
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The format of the flood risk management plan
FRMPs have been divided into 4 sections to help readers identify and access information relevant to them. This is Part A. Name Audience Summary Document For those who would like an overview of the plan.
Part A: Background and RBD wide For those who would like the legislative information background and river basin district wide, high level information. Part B: Catchment Summaries For those who require the detail of the sub-areas and flooding statistics. This section includes the catchments based on Water Framework Directive (WFD) management catchments, Flood Risk Areas (identified through the Preliminary Flood Risk Assessment) and other strategic areas across the river basin district. Part C: Appendices For those who would like to see the detailed of the measures for the river basin district and individual communities.
The other parts of the flood risk management plan are located on gov.uk (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/anglian-river-basin-district-flood-risk- management-plan) The layout of this document
This is Part A, Background and river basin district wide information – this explains what FRMPs are and how the Environment Agency have developed them and then describes the Anglian river basin district. Section 1: What is flood risk and who manages it? This explains what flood risk is, who is responsible for managing the risk and what their roles are. Section 2: What is a flood risk management plan? What a FRMP is, why the Environment Agency is producing a FRMP and describes the kind of information that is included in the FRMP. Section 3: How the plan has been developed This describes how the Environment Agency, in partnership with LLFAs and other RMAs have prepared this FRMP. Section 4: how to manage risk This describes some of the terminology used within the FRMP, such as ’conclusions’, ’objectives’ and ‘measures’, and how they relate to flood and coastal erosion risk management.
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Section 5: Getting to know the river basin district This introduces the Anglian river basin district. The Environment Agency also introduce the ‘sub- areas’ that further divide the river basin district. Section 6: Key flood risk issues in the river basin district The flood and coastal erosion risks are set out for the river basin district in section 6. Section 7: the sub-areas Introduces each of the sub-areas in turn. This section outlines the catchments based on Water Framework Directive (WFD) management catchments, which make up the river basin district, then the Flood Risk Areas (FRAs), identified through the Preliminary Flood Risk Assessment, across the river basin district. Section 8: Conclusions, objectives and measures Sets out the risk conclusions, objectives and measures for the river basin district. Section 9: implementing the plan, monitoring and reporting Sets out the proposals for implementing the plan, including co-ordination with the implementation of the RBMPs prepared under the WFD. Section 9 concludes with how the measures will be monitored and reported. Find out more Throughout this document you will be directed via hyperlink to more detailed sources of information using 'find out more’ boxes.
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1. What is flood risk and who manages it?
The Flood and Water Management Act (2010) defines flooding as any case where land not normally covered by water becomes covered by water. Flood risk is a combination of 2 components: the chance (or probability/ likelihood) that a location will flood from any source or type of flooding, and the impact (or consequence) that the flooding would cause if it occurred. Flood risk management is generally concerned with reducing harm which might take the form of property damage or physical injury to people and wildlife. However, flooding can also have beneficial effects too, in particular for wetland plants and wildlife, as well as some types of agriculture that are water dependent.
Risk Likelihood Impact = x
Figure 1 What is flood risk?
Risk captures the severity of, or related consequences produced by, a flood event. Impacts can be social, economic and environmental, for example the number of properties flooded and the level of associated economic damages. The consequences of a flood depend on the level of exposure and the vulnerability of those affected. What is the likelihood of this happening and what does this mean? Probability (or chance) is a measure of the likelihood that a defined event will occur. The probability of a flood event is typically defined as the relative frequency of occurrence of that flood being equalled or exceeded. Probability can be expressed as a fraction, percentage, a decimal or description, and should always make reference to a time period. For example, the industry refers to ‘a 1 in 100 chance of flooding in any given year’ or ‘a 1% annual probability of flooding’, which both refer to the same likelihood. Assessing impacts of flooding prior to an event usually involves estimating the potential impact of flooding on people, property and the environment. The theoretical probability of flooding is illustrated by the Environment Agency Flood Maps which show flood risk for rivers and the sea, surface water and reservoirs. Flood models which are the basis for the Environment Agency’s flood maps use uniform rainfall scenario (the same amount of rainfall falling across the country), whereas in reality rainfall rates vary greatly from one town to another. It is not possible to prevent all flooding, but there are a variety of actions which can manage these risks and their impacts on communities. Flood risk managers must identify all potential options to manage flood risk and balance the needs of communities, the economy and the environment. RMAs should work in partnership with each other and communities to manage flood risk, ensuring that communities are part of the decision making process and understand and actively prepare for the risks. By working together RMAs should actively seek opportunities to coordinate risk management, encourage partnership funding and deliver multiple benefits.
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Roles and Responsibilities Table 1 and 2 show the RMAs involved in flood risk management in England and their roles and responsibilities. The responsibilities for managing flooding in the UK is divided between different risk management authorities (RMAs) as defined in the Flood and Water Management Act. RMAs have powers and duties to manage the different forms for flooding that can occur as shown in table 1 (page 14). The Environment Agency is responsible for taking a strategic overview of the management of all sources of flooding and coastal erosion. Following the December 2015 floods Defra is looking at how this strategic overview role can be strengthened at the catchment scale to promote a more integrated approach to managing the water environment. Table 1 Summary of responsibilities for risk management authorities
Lead Local Internal Environment District Water Highways Risk Source Flood Drainage Agency Councils Company Authority Authority Board Main River Sea flooding Surface Water Surface Water (on or coming from the Highway) Sewer Flooding Ordinary Watercourse Groundwater Reservoirs * * * * * *
Coastal Erosion
Strategic overview of all sources of flood risk (and the coast)
*Please note RMAs have different responsibilities for reservoirs such as regulation, asset management and flood incident response
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Table 2 Roles and responsibilities of risk management authorities and others involved in managing flood risk
Organisation Role and responsibilities Environment The Environment Agency has a strategic overview of all sources of flooding and coastal erosion Agency (rivers, the sea, groundwater, reservoirs and surface water). Permissive powers to manage flood risk from ‘main rivers’, the sea and reservoirs. Can use enforcement powers to require landowners to take action to minimise flood risk to others. Lead Local LLFA. A county council or unitary council. Permissive powers to manage flood risk from Flood Authority surface water, ‘ordinary watercourses’ (non-main rivers) outside of internal drainage districts, and groundwater. Enforcement powers are similar to Environment Agency’s. LLFAs also manage the drainage on the majority of local highways. Water Manage the sewerage and water supply networks and any flood risk arising from them. Also Companies manage flood risk to any critical infrastructure, such as water treatment plants and pumping stations. District Council By agreement with the upper tier lead local flood authority, the district council may do some work to manage flood risk. District councils are the Local Planning Authority. Maritime District As district councils, but also manage coastal erosion. As many coastal defences protect against Council both erosion and flooding from the sea, these Councils often do both in urban areas. Internal IDB. Each board is a local public authority established in areas of special drainage need Drainage Boards in England and Wales. Permissive powers to manage water levels within their respective drainage districts. IDBs undertake works to reduce flood risk to people and property and manage water levels to meet local needs. Navigation Canal and River Trust (CRT) manage the canal network throughout the RBD. Although not a Authorities designated ‘Risk Management Authority’, CRT manages its network in a way that minimises risk of flooding. Also manages the Weaver Navigation (navigable section of the river Weaver). In addition to CRT, there are three main navigation authorities within the RBD: the Environment Agency; Broads Authority; and Middle Level Commissioners. Riparian The owner of land next to a watercourse usually owns the land to the middle of the river (unless landowner property deeds show otherwise). Riparian landowners are responsible for maintaining the watercourse to allow free flow. Find out more in the Environment Agency’s living on the edge leaflet https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/454562/LIT_7114 .pdf Communities Individuals at risk from flooding, or having flooded, are encouraged to form a Flood Action Group or other Community Group as a focus for understanding the issues, considering improvement options and implementing solutions. Non- RMA Features and structures that have been designated as a flood defence cannot be altered, owners of flood removed or replaced without the consent of the responsible authority. defences Reservoir In addition to their general duty of care for the public under common law, the owners of owners reservoirs with an above ground capacity of 25,000 cubic metres or more have a legal duty to have their reservoirs supervised and inspected regularly; in order to prevent dam failures and the dangerous flooding that could result. Reservoir owners could fall into any of the above categories listed in the table. Highways Highways England looks after the motorways and major A roads focussing on the most impor- England tant national routes, while councils manage the roads serving local communities. Having information about the condition of drainage assets they hold a Drainage Data Management System (also known as HADDMS) to identify flooding issues and places at particular risk, including private property, supporting a risk based programme of drainage renewal works. 17 of 86
Existing flood management schemes and properties protected Risk Management Authorities work in partnership with each other and communities to manage flood risk. The Flood Risk Management Plan sets out measures to manage flood risk across the Anglian RBD. However, RMAs have been undertaking a range of activities to manage flood risk for many years. Details of these activities can be found in section 6 Key Flood Risk Issues in the Anglian River Basin District. In some parts of the Anglian RBD Flood defences are in place to reduce flood risk. The Environment Agency Flood Map for Planning shows all flood defences built in the last five years to protect against river floods with a 1 per cent (1 in 100) chance of happening each year, or floods from the sea with a 0.5 per cent (1 in 200) chance of happening each year, together with some, but not all, older defences. Across the country Government is investing £2.3bn on 1,500 flood defence schemes over 2015 – 2021. Thousands of properties in the river basin district benefit from river flood risk management schemes, including homes and businesses in Canvey Island, Burnham-on-Crouch, Maldon, Jaywick, Harwich, Felixstowe, Ipswich, Great Yarmouth, North Norfolk, King’s Lynn, Skegness and Mablethorpe. Further schemes are ongoing or planned in the Anglian river basin district. The Local Flood Partnerships in Cumbria and Yorkshire, set up in response to the December floods will bring together a wide range of organisations and communities to develop Flood Action Plans. These actions will complement the measures in the FRMP and the learning from this approach will be shared across the country. During December 2015 existing flood defences played an essential part in protecting thousands of homes with 12,500 benefitting during Storm Desmond and 10,900 during Storm Eva. This also provided vital time for homes and businesses to be evacuated as well as reducing the impacts. Additional temporary defences and pumps were deployed to reduce the risk to homes, businesses and infrastructure. A recovery programme of inspections and repairs to damaged defences was commenced as soon as water levels reduced. Supporting Communities that Remain at Risk an Environment Agency project to pre -plan for the use of temporary defences. This project is a great opportunity to have prepared plans and equipment for more communities to maximise the use of the extra time flood forecasting investment has bought us in helping to protect them. Flood Risk Information The Anglian FRMP includes information on flood risk from rivers and the sea, reservoirs and surface water for FRAs only (as identified in Preliminary Flood Risk Assessments (PFRAs)). The following section outlines flood risk classifications for the various sources. Flooding from rivers and the sea The maps and statistics within this plan relating to flooding from rivers and the sea are taken from the risk of flooding from rivers and the sea map. This map has been developed using the National Flood Risk Assessment (NaFRA). This is an assessment of flood risk for England and Wales produced using local data and expertise. It shows the chance of flooding from rivers and the sea (both along the open coast and tidal estuaries). The risk is presented as a likelihood (or chance) of flooding in any given year and divided into the following categories:
High - greater than or equal to 1 in 30 (3.3%) chance in any given year Medium - less than 1 in 30 (3.3%) but greater than or equal to 1 in 100 (1%) chance in any given year Low - less than 1 in 100 (1%) but greater than or equal to 1 in 1000 (0.1%) chance in any given year Very low - less than 1 in 1000 (0.1%) chance in any given year.
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The NaFRA takes flood defences and their condition into account and so describes the actual chance of flooding, rather than the chance if there were no defences present. Flood defences reduce the level of risk but don't completely remove it. In extreme weather they can be overtopped or fail if they are in poor condition. The NaFRA results can be used in conjunction with receptor data (number and type of properties and infrastructure) to estimate the consequences and economic damage associated with flooding from rivers and the sea. Flooding from reservoirs Reservoir flood risk maps show the area that could be flooded if a large raised reservoir were to fail and release the water it holds. A large raised reservoir is designed to hold, or is capable of holding, over 25,000 cubic metres of water above the natural level of the adjoining land. This is a worst case scenario. Flooding from surface water The maps and statistics included in this plan are based on the Updated Flood Map for Surface water (UMfSW) published in December 2013.The UMfSW assesses a range of flooding scenarios (annual probability of flooding is shown in brackets): High -1 in 30 (3.3%) Medium - 1 in 100 (1%) Low - 1 in 1000 (0.1%)
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2. What is a Flood Risk Management Plan?
Flood risk management plans highlight the hazards and risks from rivers, the sea, surface water, groundwater and reservoirs and set out how RMAs will work together with communities to manage flood risk. What is the flood risk management plan for? Flood Risk Management Plans (FRMPs) are produced every 6 years and describe the sources and risks of flooding within a river basin district and catchment. They also include information on how risk management authorities (RMAs) plan to work together with communities and businesses to manage and reduce flood risk. Over the 6 year planning cycle the FRMP will help promote a greater awareness and understanding of the risks of flooding, particularly in those communities at high risk, and encourage and enable householders, businesses and communities to take action to manage the risks. FRMPs along with River Basin Management Plans (RBMPs) help all those involved in managing water to make decisions that are best for people and the environment. Why are flood risk management plans being prepared? This is the first cycle of implementing the Flood Risk Regulations 2009. Due to this legislation, LLFAs must prepare FRMPs covering surface water within FRAs, where the risk of flooding from local flood risks is significant (as identified in Preliminary Flood Risk Assessments (PFRAs)) for instance from surface water, groundwater and ordinary watercourses. The Environment Agency is required to prepare FRMPs for all of England covering flooding from main rivers, the sea and reservoirs. Further information on what is a flood risk management plan can be found on the GOV.UK website - https://www.gov.uk/flood-risk-management-plans-what-are-they-and-whos- responsible-for-them Flood risk and coastal erosion management activities require careful planning to ensure that appropriate, sustainable, options are selected and that they are implemented properly. Actions should be planned effectively, for the long-term, and provide a clear picture of what will be done to manage risk and provide multiple benefits. This may include, for example, linking with other plans such as RBMPs and supporting biodiversity, habitat creation or improving water quality. The Environment Agency and LLFAs are developing FRMPs by drawing existing information together and building on existing Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management plans such as: Catchment Flood Management Plans (CFMPs), Shoreline Management Plans (SMPs) and Local Flood Risk Management Strategies (LFRMS) (see Figure 2). What the plan does The FRMP will help deliver the requirements of the National Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management Strategy in England by setting out the measures to manage flood risk now and in the future. The FRMP will: Help develop and promote a better understanding of flood and coastal erosion risk Provide information about the economic and environmental benefits to inform decision makers Identify communities with the highest risk of flooding so that investment can be targeted at those in most need Not all measures / actions in FRMPs have secured funding and so are not guaranteed to be implemented. Money is allocated to all RMA measures in the same way and is based on current Government policy that gives the highest priority to lives and homes.
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Planning Policy and Building National FCERM Policy (Defra) Regulations (DCLG)
EU DIRECTIVES
Floods Directive Flood Risk Management Plans Local FCERM Strategies
Water Framework Dir River Basin Management Plans Catchment flood risk and coastal erosion management planning Strategic flood risk (CFMPs, SMPs) assessments Long term planning for Other relevant plans all sources of flood risk The planning system & coastal erosion Surface Water (local plans, Management Plans/ neighbourhood water level plans) management plans
Flood risk National FCERM assessments Strategy (England) Habitat Creation Programme
Sustainable Planning applications FCERM Schemes Infrastructure and decisions community strategies management plans / local strategic partnerships
Figure 2 Flood Risk Management Plans and their relationship to other planning initiatives (taken from the National 21 of 86 Flood and Coastal Risk Management Strategy for England) What types of flood risk are included in the flood risk management plan? The FRMP covers the flood risks that the RMAs are responsible for. The Environment Agency has worked in partnership with other RMAs to collate the information needed to develop the FRMP. Some RMAs have a statutory duty to produce a FRMP as they have areas designated as FRAs. Local surface water risk information is only included where lead local flood authorities have a statutory duty to produce a FRMP or where they have volunteered information. Those that are included are detailed in Table 3 and Table 4. Areas of significant ‘local flood risk’ were identified from historic flood records and analysis of potential future flooding from surface water, groundwater and ordinary watercourses. These FRAs were designated on the basis of there being at least 30,000 people in properties at risk of flooding, or 150 critical services (for example - schools, hospitals, nursing homes, power and water services). This was as shown by locally agreed surface water flood maps produced in 2010 by the Environment Agency and supplemented with data from LLFAs where available. Table 3 Flood Risk Areas in Anglian river basin district (RMAs who have a statutory obligation to produce a FRMP).
Flood Risk Area LLFAs/RMA South Essex Flood Risk Area Essex County Council Southend – on – Sea Borough Council
Table 4 RMAs who have voluntarily provided information for the Anglian FRMP.
Voluntary information Organisation name
LLFAs Essex County Council (for the area outside the FRA) Cambridgeshire County Council Leicestershire County Council Northamptonshire County Council Nottinghamshire County Council Peterborough City Council Rutland County Council Suffolk County Council Lincolnshire County Council Norfolk County Council Water Company Anglian Water
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Find out more about flood risk management:
National Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management Strategy - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-flood-and-coastal-erosion-risk- management-strategy-for-england
Flood Risk Management Plan Guidance - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/flood-risk-management-plan-guidance
Flood and Coastal Change - https://www.gov.uk/browse/environment- countryside/flooding-extreme-weather/flooding-and-coastal-change
Interactive Flood Maps - http://maps.environment- agency.gov.uk/wiyby/wiybyController?ep=maptopics&lang=_e
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Figure 3 Sources of flood risk information included in this FRMP 24 of 86
3. How the plan has been developed The approach to developing flood risk management plans In 2013 the government agreed that the preferred approach to developing FRMPs would be for the Environment Agency to work in partnership with other RMAs, in particular LLFAs, to collate information to develop an overall plan for managing all sources of flood risk and coastal erosion. In preparing this FRMP, RMAs have built on relevant information from existing work (see Figure 2 and Table 3). Of particular importance are the LFRMS being developed by LLFAs. In drawing measures together, RMAs have revisited priorities and ensured that there is a shared understanding of the risks and how best they can be managed. The Environment Agency is co-ordinating the development of this FRMP with the RBMP so that there is an integrated approach to overall water management for the benefit of people, the environment and the economy. Table 5 shows the sources of FRMP information. These plans remain active. The future need for CFMPs as the strategic plan for river and estuary flooding is being reviewed in 2015 and 2016. As with all of the plans listed in Table 5, all relevant actions have been brought together by FRMPs. This is the case with CFMP actions. Irrespective of the review, the actions will be being taken forward by the FRMP. The CFMP long term policies have not been carried forward. The work programme contained within this FRMP should be considered alongside the RMA maintenance programmes, the work contained in the strategies and plans in table 5, and the drainage improvements carried out annually by the water companies within the Anglian River Basin District.
Find out more
Interactive flood maps - http://maps.environment- agency.gov.uk/wiyby/wiybyController?ep=maptopics&lang=_e
River Basin District Maps - https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/river-basin-districts- flood-risk-maps
Table 5 Sources of FRMP information
Flood risk Existing plans and FRMP information Flooding from main rivers Catchment Flood Management Plans: Broadland Rivers, East Suffolk, Great Ouse, North Essex, North Norfolk Rivers, River Nene, River Welland, River Witham, South Essex Flooding from the sea and along estuaries, Shoreline Management Plans: Coastal erosion The Wash (Gibraltar Point to Old Hunstanton), North Norfolk (Hunstanton to Kelling Hard), Norfolk (Kelling to Lowestoft), Suffolk (Lowestoft to Felixstowe), Essex and South Suffolk (Landguard Point to Two Tree Island) and Thames Estuary 2100 Plan Flooding from reservoirs Reservoir Plans: Flood Risk Maps – Anglian RBD
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Flood risk Existing plans and FRMP information Flooding from surface water, Local Flood Risk Management Strategies: groundwater and ordinary watercourses Essex County Council Local FRM Strategy Northamptonshire Local FRM Strategy Peterborough Local FRM Strategy (currently in consultation) Cambridgeshire Local FRM Strategy Surface Water Management Plans: SWMPs across the district. Full list in Annex 1. Flooding from sewers Water company business plans Anglian Water Business Plan: 2015-2020 Sewerage Management Plans Whitlingham SMP
Consultation and engagement Consultation and engagement on this FRMP helped improve, inform and shape the plan. By consulting others the Environment Agency believe they developed a more thorough final plan. National public consultation took place between October 2014 and January 2015. Southend-on-Sea Borough Council also fulfilled their legal responsibility to consult on their draft FRMP in August 2015 (please see Southend-on-Sea Borough Council Local Flood Risk Management Strategy for further details). The final adopted actions have now been included in this document to complete the picture of all sources of flooding. The draft FRMP was shared with the LLFAs in the Anglian river basin district and with Anglian Water, to allow them to provide comments prior to a public consultation. The Liaison Panel for the Anglian RBMP was briefed as the FRMP developed. This panel includes a wide range of representatives of key sectors and catchment partnerships including local councils, water companies and agricultural and environmental interests. Panel members share information and views between the panel and their sector/wider partnership and vice-versa. The Regional Flood and Coastal Committees (RFCCs) were briefed on the progress of the FRMP. Committee members shared information and views between the committee and the organisation which they represent. Further information on the consultation can be found at the following links: Consultation document 12h: Consultation on the draft update to the flood risk management plans - summary response document. https://consult.environment- agency.gov.uk/portal/ho/flood/draft_frmp/consult?dm_i=1QGB,3R34C,KI58VF,DICTE,1 Consultation document 12i: Water for Life and Livelihoods a joint RBMP and FRMP consultation response document. Sets out the main themes for both consultations and how the plans have been changed in response. https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/update-to-the-draft-river-basin- management-plans Objective Setting Flood Risk Management Plans (FRMPs) contain objectives for managing flood risk. They state the main ways in which work is directed to make a difference and reduce flood risk. They cover people, the economy and the environment. The objectives are split into the 3 categories to help demonstrate the balance of objectives across the plans but the categories aren’t assigned a weighting in the FRMP. Objectives are used to plan and prioritise investment programmes to target investment to the most at risk communities. Prioritisation is then done at an England wide level and takes into account the risk but also considers other factors such as cost benefits, the level of investment to date and other aspects such as the potential for external funding opportunities.
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The Anglian FRMP contains 2 different types of objectives; high level river basin district wide objectives and local catchment objectives. The river basin district objectives outline what the Environment Agency wants to achieve to manage the risk of flooding and assign measure of how they want to achieve these objectives. These objectives have been developed by building on existing plans (see Table 3) as well as bringing together locally gathered information through consultation and experience of recent flood events. The catchments also include other objectives provided by the LLFAs from their LFRMS to manage local sources of flood risk. Anglian Water also provided Objectives for the measures include in the Anglian FRMP. These can be found in Part C: appendices, annex 2: Sources of Objective and measure for the FRMP. The measures tables in the appendices show which category (Social, Economic or environment) of objective relates to each measure. Six year investment programme In December 2014 the government set out a 6 year plan for investment in flood and coastal erosion risk management (2015/16 to 2020/21). The latest published figures show the current funding profile of each year and the published programme can be found here. Measures from the 6 year investment programme are included in this FRMP. Each year Risk Management Authorities (local councils, Internal Drainage Boards, highway authorities, and water and sewage companies) are invited to submit details of proposed FCERM capital works to the Environment Agency. These proposals are combined with Environment Agency proposed schemes to form a programme of work. Investment in FCERM is prioritised according to government policy, and in line with the government’s National FCERM Strategy and HM Treasury Green Book on economic appraisal. Government policy gives the highest priority to lives and homes and all FCERM schemes should at least have a benefit cost ratio greater than 1:1. All FCERM schemes are prioritised against a consistent set of criteria applied to all risk management authorities (RMAs). This ensures a fair distribution of government funding based on agreed priorities, principles and needs.
FCERM schemes are normally funded with Flood Defence Grant in Aid from Defra, partnership funding and Local Flood Defence Levy raised by Regional Flood and Coastal Committees. FCERM schemes can also be funded through other private contributions and local funding sources. Where FCERM projects can help to regenerate an area and support economic growth funding may also be available from other sources. This can include European Structural Investment Fund, Growth Fund through the Local Enterprise Partnership and Community Infrastructure Levy through Local Authorities. In addition to FDGiA for FCERM schemes, Internal Drainage Board activities are predominantly funded by the local beneficiaries of the water level management work they provide. Long Term Investment Scenarios (LTIS) The Environment Agency’s long-term investment scenarios study published in December 2014, presents a new analysis of the costs and risks of flood and coastal erosion risk management in England. The study sets out the link between national investment in flood and coastal erosion risk management, and the outcomes in terms of economic risk and numbers of properties at risk. The study found that the annual economic ‘optimum’ investment need over the next 10 years is broadly in line with current expenditure (about £750 million, including public and third party contributions). The study shows that over the next 50 years optimal investment in FCERM is expected to rise by 10-20% (in present day terms). A key finding of the study is that even if average annual investment is sustained at an optimal level there will still be significant numbers of properties at high and medium flood risk in 50 years time meaning new and innovative approaches will be needed. LTIS estimates that, by 2021, the 6 year programme could reduce overall flood risk by up to 5% on the assumption that planned capital, maintenance and incident management activities are maintained. The National Flood Resilience Review is considering infrastructure and future investment strategy across England to pinpoint where defences and modelling need strengthening. This will allow us to take prompt action.
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Flood and coastal risk management and agriculture Land drainage for agricultural purposes is an important element of operational activity in flood and coastal erosion risk management. Today the prime driver for Government investment in flood and coastal management is one of risk reduction to people and property, and for the protection of the environment. Investment is prioritised according to Government policy, the National Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management Strategy and the HM Treasury Green Book on economic appraisal. Government policy gives the highest priority to lives and homes. Agricultural drainage and water level management work continues to be important particularly in low lying areas and this work is predominantly undertaken by farmers and landowners, and where they exist, Internal Drainage Boards. The work of Internal Drainage Boards through managing water levels and maintaining watercourses and structures can also manage and reduce flood risk to people, property and infrastructure. Strategic Environmental Assessment and Habitats Regulations A Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) was undertaken to consider the significant environmental effects of the FRMP. The Environment Agency consulted Natural England, English Heritage and the Marine Management Organisation on the scope of the proposed assessment in December 2013, and the environmental report sets out the results of the SEA. The report describes the environmental effects that are significant within the river basin district and identifies measures to mitigate any adverse effects. Opportunities to improve the environment are also considered. The SEA took account of the environmental effects of flood risk management measures in the FRMP. The focus was on the combined effects of the programme of protection measures across a catchment or flood risk area, rather than individual measures at specific locations. Using the same assessment approach for both the RBMP and FRMP plans allows us to compare the environmental effects directly and consider the interaction between the 2 plans. The likely positive impacts of the FRMP are identified in the SEA, as well as mitigation required to manage the negative effects and opportunities to deliver greater environmental benefits. Indicators are also set to identify the effect of the plan on significant environmental receptors, taking advantage of existing monitoring that is already carried out by the Environment Agency and others. A Habitats Regulations assessment has been carried out on the FRMP to consider whether the plan affects designated sites (Special Areas of Conservation, Special Protection Areas and Ramsar sites). Initial assessment suggests that significant effects are not likely. How flood risk management plans have been co-ordinated with river basin management planning (RBMP) The Anglian flood risk management plan has been developed alongside the Anglian river basin management plan so that opportunities for flood risk improvements can integrate water and biodiversity objectives wherever possible and help provide other benefits to society. These benefits could include greater access to riversides, improved recreation and angling along rivers, more biodiversity and contributing to local council open space strategies. The Environment Agency has led on the development of both plans, and aims to co-ordinate work effectively and support others to do the same. Section 8 of this document provides more detail on how the flood risk management plans relate to other plans and wider policies and objectives. Integration of the Anglian FRMP and RBMP was achieved by consulting partners through the Catchment Partnerships and Liaison Panel and holding the consultations at the same time and including cross cutting question in both plans. Information on how consultation has shaped the plans was published jointly with RBMPs. Each river basin district has a Liaison Panel made up of representatives for the key sectors. Members bring their experience, knowledge and their sector views acting as a two-way channel between the panel and their sector.
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Co-ordinating with RBMP River basin management plans https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/river-basin-management-plan-update 4. How to manage risk
Involving communities leads to more effective flood and coastal erosion risk management. RMAs will continue to work with communities and other stakeholders to manage risk by: assessing the sources of flood risk and drawing conclusions about the risks setting out what RMAs are trying to achieve and establishing risk management objectives determining the best approach to achieving the objectives by identifying the right measures and prioritising them The conclusions, objectives and proposed measures are set out within this FRMP. During the 6 year planning cycle set out in the Flood Risk Regulations (2009) RMAs will work with partners and interested parties to; seek to secure the necessary funding, including from partners implement the measures, with clarity on what each organisation is accountable for monitor and review how the plan works RMAs will monitor, and report annually, on progress in implementing the measures set out in the FRMP. RMAs will continue to work in partnership, ensuring that they can maintain a forward look of prioritised proposals for managing flood risk. The next review of the FRMP under the Flood Risk Regulations will be completed by 2021. The Local Flood Partnerships in Cumbria and Yorkshire, set up in response to the December floods will bring together a wide range of organisations and communities to develop Flood Action Plans. These actions will complement the measures in the FRMP and the learning from this approach will be shared across the country. National flood and coastal erosion risk management strategy for England The national flood and coastal erosion risk management strategy for England (2011) provides the overarching framework for future action by all RMAs to tackle flooding and coastal erosion risk in England. The overall aim of the strategy is to ensure the risk of flooding and coastal erosion is properly managed by using the full range of options in a co-ordinated way. It encourages more effective risk management by enabling people, communities, business, infrastructure operators and the public sector to work together to; ensure a clear understanding of the risks of flooding and coastal erosion, nationally and locally, so that investment in risk management can be prioritised more effectively; set out clear and consistent plans for risk management so that communities and businesses can make informed decisions about the management of the remaining risk; manage flood and coastal erosion risks in an appropriate way, taking account of the needs of communities and the environment; ensure that emergency plans and responses to flood incidents are effective and that communities are able to respond effectively to flood forecasts, warnings and advice; help communities to recover more quickly and effectively after incidents. The strategy recognises that difficult decisions have to be taken on where activities can and can’t be carried out at both national and local levels. As such, 6 principles have been identified to help guide these decisions and the processes by which they are taken. These guiding principles are: 29 of 86
1. Community focus and partnership working 2. A catchment and coastal “cell” based approach 3. Sustainability 4. Proportionate, risk-based approaches 5. Multiple benefits 6. Beneficiaries should be encouraged to invest in risk management.
This FRMP has been developed to meet the legal requirements of the Flood Risk Regulations. In doing so, the Environment Agency have also taken into account the national flood and coastal erosion risk management strategy for England, in particular its guiding principles. Measures for managing risk There are different approaches to managing flood and coastal erosion risk – the Environment Agency have grouped the measure into themed approaches which are described below: Preventing: by avoiding putting people or the environment at risk of flooding, for example, one way of preventing risks arising would be by not building homes in areas that can be flooded. Preparing: by taking actions that prepare people for flooding, for example, by improving awareness of flood risk, or by providing warning and forecasting for floods so that people can take precautions to safeguard their valuables. Protecting; by protecting people from the risk of flooding. For example, by the maintenance or refurbishment of existing defences, building new defences or incorporating property resilience measures such as using waterproof boards over doors and airbricks to reduce the damaged caused by flood water. Recovery and review: by learning from when flooding happens and how to recover from it, for example, by improving the availability of recovery services such as providing temporary accommodation, after flooding has occurred. Additional detail on these approaches can be found Part C in Annex 3 European Commission measure themes Flood and coastal erosion risk management may require a combination of the measures outlined above. Flood risk management activities As identified by the national FCERM Strategy for England, managing flood risk and coastal erosion involves: knowing when and where flooding and coastal erosion are likely to happen; taking reasonable steps to reduce the likelihood of them happening; forecasting and providing warnings of floods so that people, businesses, infrastructure providers and public services can take effective action to minimise the consequences of floods, and adapting to coastal change and acting to reduce the risk to life, damage and disruption caused by flooding.
Ongoing RMA activities relating to flood and coastal risk management can be divided into the following activities. Strategic planning Strategic planning enables RMAs to prioritise flood risk management activities and ensure that investment aligns with priority areas where the risk is greatest and ensure that the best value for
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money is achieved. It is vital that all RMAs continue to work in partnership to agree strategic planning to manage flood and coastal erosion risk across the river basin district, especially areas at risk from more than one sources of flooding. Investigations Following significant flooding, lead local flood authorities (LLFAs) will carry out and publish a flood investigation report (under Section 19 of the Flood and Water Management Act). This will consider the source(s) of flooding, how the flooding occurred, the flood extent and depth, damage to property and estimate the severity of the flood. It will also identify which RMAs have relevant flood risk management functions, and whether they have exercised, or are proposing to exercise, those functions in response to the flood. The LLFA must publish the results of its investigation, and notify any RMAs. Hydraulic modelling and hydrology Hydraulic modelling is a process of simulating what happens to river levels during periods of heavy rain. Past flood events are used to support the models’ predictions and improve their accuracy. The RMAs use these models to predict where and when flooding is expected to occur and for how long, taking into account storm intensity and duration. This also informs decisions about how flood risk could be managed. For example, refurbish or improve existing assets, construct new assets, provide planning advice to local councils highlighting risk areas to avoid inappropriate development or provide flood warnings and flood incident management. Flood forecasting and warning In addition to the hydrology and hydraulic modelling, weather forecasts can be used to predict how river flows and levels are expected to respond to changes in weather. Rainfall and river levels provide data which informs the Environment Agency’s flood warning service and allows the issue of timely and accurate flood warnings. Computer models of weather and tide conditions predict tidal flood forecasts. Providing an accurate flood forecasting and warning service is critical in managing the consequences of flooding. Incident planning and management The Environment Agency, local councils, water companies, Emergency Services and other utility companies all plan for incidents of many types, including flooding. These plans inform how the RMAs work together to respond to an incident and inform more strategic Multi-Agency Response Plans. Incident management exercises are used to test and improve the planed procedures. Following flood incidents partners review the plans to further improve procedures and share data. Local Resilience Forums for each of the counties oversee the collective incident planning and response, these are: Bedfordshire Local Resilience Forum https://www.bllrf.org.uk/home/ Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Local Resilience Forum Essex Resilience Forum http://www.essexprepared.co.uk/ Suffolk Resilience Forum http://www.suffolkresilience.com/ Norfolk Resilience Forum http://www.norfolkprepared.gov.uk/ Northamptonshire Local Resilience Forum http://www.northamptonshire.gov.uk/en/councilservices/fire/emergencies/pages/about-emergency- planning.aspx Lincolnshire Resilience Forum http://www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/lincolnshire-prepared/ Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Local Resilience Forum https://www.llrprepared.org.uk/ Maintenance
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RMAs carry out regular inspections and maintenance of structures (raised defences, river channel walls, culverts, outfalls and flap valves, pumping stations and flood storage reservoirs) to ensure they are ‘fit for purpose’. Clearance of some vegetation, sediment and debris from river channels and culverts is a key maintenance task, as this helps to provide enough capacity to convey flood flows. Similar activities are carried out for drains and sewers. Information from the Environment Agency assets inspections informs System Asset Management Plans (SAMPs) which are updated regularly to inform maintenance, funding requirements and asset condition. Other RMAs also maintain information relating to their assets, for example Asset Registers that are maintained by LLFAs or Asset Management Plans by the water companies.
Improvement works The Environment Agency produce flood maps using models to show where properties are at risk of flooding, or where flooding has happened. These maps help us to identify communities that are at risk of flooding. The Environment Agency, in partnership with other RMAs, works with these communities to look at options to reduce the risk of flooding. The Environment Agency coordinates a 6 year investment programme which prioritises investment to improve or create new defences. Development planning and control RMAs work together to avoid inappropriate development in the flood plain. The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) sets out government policy on new developments, which must be applied by local planning authorities when making land use planning decisions. The Environment Agency is a statutory consultee for planning applications except for minor developments in areas at risk of flooding from rivers and the sea and large developments where flooding from rivers and the sea is very unlikely. Working in partnership as RMAs we advise developers on planning consultations in high risk areas. The final decision for development in the flood plain is made by the local planning authorities. Permitting decisions on development are an opportunity for the Local Planning Authority to integrate SuDS. Sustainable Drainage Systems Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) are a way of managing surface water by reducing or delaying rainwater run-off. They aim to mimic the way rainfall drains naturally rather than conventional piped methods. This helps to manage flooding and reduce pollution and damage to the environment. Common types of SuDS are ponds which change in level with rainfall, swales (wide grass ditches), soakaways and permeable pavements (block paving, sometimes with gravel beneath). The approach to be adopted requires infiltration (allowing water to soak in to the ground) to be considered first, then attenuation (storing water at the top of the catchment) and discharge into a watercourse and only if these are impractical should attenuation with discharge to a sewer be considered. Retro-fitting of SuDS to existing buildings and land is also a way of reducing peak flows in drains/sewers and watercourses and so helping to reduce flooding and pollution. The Department for Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), along with the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG), are reviewing SuDS, including how they will be maintained. Enforcement RMAs may take enforcement action against a riparian owner (owner of land adjacent to or over a watercourse) to repair their structure before a possible collapse which could lead to flooding. Enforcement action is also sometimes necessary to keep access alongside watercourses clear, so that the RMAs can do maintenance and other work. Working with Communities RMAs work with communities to understand their perspective of flooding and coastal erosion. The aim is to help communities understand and actively prepare for the risks, and encourage them to have direct involvement in decision-making. Flood Action Groups or other community groups become a clear focus for the community to bring together all the relevant information residents and businesses may have. Working together to share knowledge, all relevant RMAs can work with
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communities on managing local risk. This becomes an opportunity for the RMAs to explain what steps they propose to take, talk about the likelihood of funding for any construction works, explore any other funding sources and advise residents and businesses what they can do to help themselves. It also gives the community the opportunity to shape the proposals. Partnership Working Managing flood and coastal risks and particularly local flood risks requires many organisations to work together in partnership. There are a range of RMAs working together to manage flooding in the Anglian river basin district including the Environment Agency, LLFAs (13) (for further information see figure 3), district councils (51), IDBs (71) and Anglian Water. Maritime District Councils (16) and the Environment Agency also work together with others to manage coastal erosion and flooding where possible. Partnership working allows organisations to combine and share expertise and resources to be as efficient and effective as possible. It encourages the sharing of knowledge, data and expertise and also provides opportunities to manage cross boundary issues, consider multiple sources of risk, ensure consistent approaches and develop and test innovative approaches to delivery. Government is also working to strengthen or establish partnerships in the areas most affected by the December 2015 floods to encourage a more integrated approach to managing risk across the whole catchment. The Local Floods Partnerships across Cumbria and Yorkshire, established after the December 2015 flooding, are a good example of this way of working. RFCCs bring together appointed LLFAs and independent members to steer the management of flood and coastal erosion risk management. The committees’ role is to ensure there are coherent plans for identifying, communicating and managing flood and coastal erosion risks across catchments and shorelines. promote efficient, targeted and risk-based investment in flood and coastal erosion risk management that optimises value for money and benefits for local communities provide a link between the Environment Agency, LLFAs, other RMAs, and other relevant bodies to engender mutual understanding of flood and coastal erosion risks in its area There are 3 RFCCs that cover the Anglian river basin district; Anglian Northern, Anglian Central and Anglian Eastern. Coastal Groups are technical groups made up of coastal managers from maritime local councils, ports authorities and the Environment Agency. Other interested bodies and organisations, such as Natural England, English Heritage also sit on these groups. Coastal Groups provide a source of expertise on the coast and play a key role in advising and influencing the Environment Agency and the RFCCs on all matters relating to the coast. The groups provide a strategic view of coastal process across administrative boundaries. There are 2 Coastal Group’s that cover the Anglian river basin district coast, East Anglian Coastal Group and North East Coastal Group. There are 8 strategic flood risk partnership groups in the Anglian river basin district, which bring together RMAs to contribute to a strategic overview of flood risk related to their area, discussing and agreeing a co-ordinated approach to flood risk management, as follows:
Lincolnshire Flood Risk and Drainage Management Partnership, the partnership includes those partners mentioned above plus district councils, the RFCC, the Lincolnshire Resilience Forum, Anglian Water, Severn Trent Water and Natural England.
Northamptonshire and the Peterborough Flood Risk Management Partnerships, the partnership includes those partners mentioned above plus district councils, RFCC representatives, Anglian Water Services Ltd and others.
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Cambridgeshire Flood Risk Management Partnership (CFRMP) established in 2007,the group consists of a Chair whom is an elected County Councillor, representatives from the Cambridgeshire County Council including the Highways team and each of the 4 district councils and Cambridge City Council. All the IDBs within the county are represented. The Environment Agency, Anglian Water and Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue service are also within the group.
The Upper Great Ouse RMA Partnership is an informal partnership, the group consists of a Chair whom is an elected County Councillor, representatives from the 5 LLFAs which fall within the area (Central Bedfordshire, Bedford Borough, Milton Keynes, Northamptonshire County and Luton Borough Councils) Bedford Group of IDBs, and the water companies which serve the Upper Great Ouse (Affinity Water, Anglian Water and Thames Water).
Norfolk Water Management Partnership (NWMP) consists of the LLFA, district councils, IDBs, Highway Authorities and water companies, and the Environment Agency.
Suffolk Flood Risk Management Partnership (SFRMP) includes county councils, district councils, IDBs, Anglian Water, Essex and Suffolk Water, Highways Authorities, National Farmers Union, Suffolk Resilience Forum, Natural England and the Environment Agency.
Essex Flood Partnership Board, board includes an elected member from each of the 12 District, borough and city councils within Essex. Members are often supported at the EFPB by lead advisors from their councils.
Flood Risk Partnership for the Southend Unitary area comprises Southend-on-Sea Borough Council, the Environment Agency and Anglian Water. These agencies have been involved in the development of a Surface Water Management Plan and the early stages of the development of a Local Flood Risk Management Strategy for the Borough.
All partnership groups are represented on the RFCC by Local Council Elected Members. In the context of developing an integrated approach we will be looking to align the work of these partnerships with the other activity set out in this plan over the next six years. Catchment based approach Catchment partnerships are groups of organisations with an interest in improving the environment in the local area and are led by a catchment host organisation. The partnerships work on a wide range of issues, including the water environment but also address other concerns that are not directly related to river basin management planning. Government is also working to strengthen or establish partnerships in the areas most affected by the December 2015 floods to encourage a more integrated approach to managing risk across the whole catchment, and will look to build on the work of successful catchment partnerships. The National Resilience Review will align closely with Defra’s work on integrated catchment-level management of the water cycle in the Government’s 25 year Environment Plan. Government’s aspirations for the next cycle of planning (now to 2021) is for more integrated catchment planning for water, where Flood and Coastal Risk Management, River Basin Management, nature conservation and land management are considered together.
Catchment Partnership group host Broadland Rivers Broads Authority Cam and Ely Ouse (inc Cam and Ely Ouse partnership South Level) Combined Essex Essex River Hub hosted by Essex Wildlife Trust
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Catchment Partnership group host
East Suffolk Essex and Suffolk Rivers Trust Nene River Nene Regional Park North Norfolk Rivers Norfolk Rivers Trust North West Norfolk Old Bedford (inc. Middle Level) Upper and Bedford Ouse Welland Welland Rivers Trust Witham Lincolnshire Chalk Streams Project
Internal Drainage Boards Internal Drainage Boards (IDBs) are local public authorities established in areas of special drainage need in England. IDBs play an important role in managing water levels to improve drainage for agricultural land, protect wetland habitats and to reduce flood risk to people, property and infrastructure in low lying areas known as internal drainage districts. Within the Anglian river basin district there are 71 IDBs. More information about IDBs and the areas they cover can be found on the Association of Drainage Authorities website http://www.ada.org.uk/idbs.html The Floods and Water Management Act (2010) made it easier for risk management authorities to undertake work on each other’s behalf. Public sector cooperation agreements have been developed to make this happen and are being used to deliver maintenance by a partnership approach. They will help deliver value for money in operational maintenance activities and will ensure a consistent approach across the country. We have a number of Public sector Cooperation agreements in place in the Anglian river basin district. Through a Public Sector Cooperation Agreements the Environment Agency has funded the IDB to undertake £230,000 worth of vegetation works along the river and within the Washes in the last 2 years. The IDB made good use of available plant in the area and access was facilitated by the good relationship the IDB has developed with local landowners.
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5. Getting to know the Anglian River Basin District Introduction The Anglian river basin district covers 27,890 km2 from Lincolnshire in the north to Essex in the south, and Northamptonshire in the west to the East Anglian coast. The river basin district comprises 11 ‘management’ catchments (Figure 4). These catchments flow from the high chalk and limestone hills through very low-lying fenland areas, before finally reaching the sea. The area is mainly rural, but some key population centres are located where there is a high risk of flooding. The catchments vary: some are in a more natural state, while others have been significantly altered by man, for example, to reduce the risk of flooding from rivers and the sea, and to drain the land for agriculture. Managing the water environment at a catchment scale promotes a holistic approach to the work RMAs do and to engagement with many others. The 12 catchments in the Anglian river basin district as shown in Figure 4 are: Broadland Rivers Cam and Ely Ouse (including South Level) Combined Essex East Suffolk Nene North Norfolk Rivers North West Norfolk Old Bedford (including middle Level) Upper and Bedford Ouse Welland Witham
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Figure 4 Overview of the Anglian RBD 37 of 86
Water The Anglian river basin district only receives 600mm of rainfall a year, less than 70% of the national average. The majority of rain falls in the north and the west of the river basin district. As a result, the management of water resources is particularly critical in this district, which has led to a long history of human intervention to secure reliable water supplies. Due to the dry nature of the Anglian river basin district, relatively large population, and significant agricultural-based industry there is a need to abstract water from the rivers and groundwater. This can damage the water environment through a reduction in water flow and less dilution of contaminants (see the Anglian RBMP). In the north of the Anglian river basin district the lower reaches of the catchments flow through fenland where they become channels with high level embankments. Because of the embankments the surrounding land is then drained and pumped into the channels. Elsewhere rivers are fed by underground aquifers. The principal aquifers in the Anglian river basin district are: the chalk underlying large parts of the east limestone in the north and west sandstone ridge running through the centre the crag in the east. other smaller aquifers affect the catchment locally. These aquifers depend on winter rainfall for recharge, making them, and the rivers they supply, susceptible to winter droughts. As groundwater levels significantly influence the rivers they are a good indication of the overall state of water resources in the river basin district. The Anglian river basin district has a number of reservoirs and water support schemes to ensure a reliable water supply. These support the network of surface and groundwater abstractions for public water supplies. These include: Grafham Water; Rutland Water; Brixworth Reservoir; Hanningfield Reservoir; and the newest, Abberton Reservoir. There are 2 major water transfer schemes in Anglian river basin district, the Ely Ouse to Essex Transfer Scheme, and the Trent-Witham-Ancholme Transfer Scheme, which starts in the Humber. There are also a number of river support schemes which may be operated by water companies and other abstractors to mitigate the impacts of their abstractions on the environment, or by the Environment Agency during times of low water levels, including Great Ouse Groundwater Scheme Waveney Augmentation Groundwater Scheme Stour Augmentation Groundwater Scheme River Hiz Support Scheme. Flood risk management systems and drainage The Lincolnshire and Cambridgeshire Fens is a significant part of the Anglian river basin district; water and risk management need to be considered across both the Great Ouse and The Welland and Nene catchments. This man-made landscape has been reclaimed from coastal and estuarine wetlands over many centuries. Much of the land is at or below sea level and has been artificially drained. It continues to be protected from floods by drainage banks and pumps, these drainage systems provide flood protection to a large number of settlements, properties, and local infrastructure and preserve land use for agriculture. Land management techniques can affect the infiltration or drainage of rain water into the ground. The Environment Agency is working with Natural England, through the Catchment Sensitive Farming Officers, and catchment partnerships to discuss changes in land management techniques to improve drainage, water quality and reduce flood risk. 38 of 86
The Broads comprises of rivers which drain west Norfolk and north-east Suffolk by exiting to the sea at Great Yarmouth. The upper reaches of the rivers, including the Wensum, an important chalk river habitat, and the Waveney, a classic lowland river, contrast with the low-lying reaches further down the catchment where the land is mostly at or below sea level. The rivers in Suffolk are designated Suffolk River Valleys due to the environmental importance. The river slopes are generally gradual however there are steep sections in the headwaters which respond quickly to rainfall. In dryer seasons the rivers suffer from low flows due to structures holding back flows such as mills and the natural geography of the rivers. Traditional water meadows still exist in many of these river valleys which are of great ecological and landscape value. There are many rivers and estuaries in Essex which have often flooded. The combination of clay soils and rural areas mean the rivers react quickly to rain fall causing floods that are short and sharp in nature. The Met Office confirmed that December 2015 was the wettest on record in parts of the UK Climate and climate change adaptation century sea levels have risen around England and more of the winter rain has fallen in intense wet spells. Climate change can affect flood risk in several ways and the impacts will vary depending on local conditions and vulnerability. Risk management authorities should consider climate change within the development of all plans. We already plan for climate change. We build climate change predictions in to the design of flood defence schemes to make sure that they are fit for the future. We will revisit this modelling after the record breaking wet weather experienced in December 2015. Wetter winters and more intense rainfall may increase river flooding and cause more surface runoff, increasing localised flooding and erosion. In turn, this may increase pressure on drains, sewers and water quality. Storm intensity in summer could increase even in drier summers, so RMAs need to be prepared for the extreme events. Rising sea or river levels may also increase local flood risk inland or away from major rivers because of interactions with drains, sewers and smaller watercourses. Even small rises in sea level could add to very high tides so as to affect places a long way inland. Sea level rise is affected by 2 factors. The thermal expansion of sea water as temperature rises and the amount of water in the oceans increases as ice sheet and glaciers melt as a result of climate change. This is in combination with isostatic rebound, the vertical movement or settling of land. The ice cap that covered the north and west of the UK melted, and retreated northwards, following the end of the last Ice Age around 12,000 years ago. The general trend is the northern and western parts of England and Scotland is lifting and south east of England is sinking. Lower emissions could reduce the amount of climate change further into the future, but changes are still projected at least as far ahead as the 2080s. UK Government’s Flood Foresight (2014) re- endorses the findings of the 2008 foresight work, stating that in general terms climate change is likely to increase river flood risks by 2080 by between 2 and 4 times, and coastal flood risk by 4 to 10 times. Increases in the frequency of flooding would affect people’s homes and wellbeing, especially for vulnerable groups. It is not possible to predict exactly how much change will happen or when. But in planning, a range of scenarios should be used for long term decisions to understand the potential range of impacts. The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and Planning Practice Guidance state that local planning authorities and developers should ensure development is appropriately flood resilient and resistant, safe for its users for the development’s lifetime and will not increase flood risk overall. The changing climate is expected to increase frequency, extent and impact of flooding and the need to adapt to it. This will be recognised by Local Planning Authorities, Lead Local Flood Authorities and the Environment Agency in exercising their Development Control roles as statutory consultees. The nature of the proposal, the site and the development’s lifetime will determine what level of resilience needs to be incorporated at the time of construction and what action(s) can be deferred to be incorporated at a later date should future adaptation be required.
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The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) requires that new development is resilient to flooding for its lifetime, taking climate change into account. ‘Flood risk assessments: climate change allowances’ are the best available evidence on the likely impact of climate change on flood risk. By using this guidance for flood risk assessments and to inform the location of development and the design of associated flood risk management measures, it will help local authorities and developers comply with the NPPF.
The East of England is the driest region in the country and 20% of the land is below sea level, which means it is more susceptible to tidal flooding several kilometres inland. Therefore, it is vulnerable to the effects of climate change. Extremes in weather will have a significant effect on water-related issues such as an increase in people and properties being at risk from the effects of flooding, and a decrease in water availability, particularly during summer months when water is most needed for the key economic activity in the district, agriculture. The FRMPs contain high level measures/ actions detailing how RMAs will: Incorporate climate change allowances into flood risk management works. Impacts from a changing climate will be considered in plans for location-specific works to reduce flood risk from all sources Identify where working with natural processes and natural flood management can help to reduce flood and coastal erosion risk and help towards communities becoming more resilient both adapt and become more resilient to the impacts of climate change. Measures in the FRMP will complement the outputs of the National Flood Resilience Review. The National Resilience Review will assess how the country can be better protected from future flooding and increasingly extreme weather events. The review is looking at climate modelling, infrastructure, resilience and future investment strategy. Accounting for climate change reduces the risk of flooding and provides better levels of protection but we can never eradicate the risk of flooding entirely. Coastal erosion risk management Coastal erosion is a natural process of interaction between land and sea - waves erode the coast and deposit sediment, such as sand, on beaches further up or down the coast. Erosion can affect high cliffs as well as low-lying beaches, salt marshes and mudflats. Erosion has created the beaches, shingle ridges and dune systems that characterise this coastline and continues to supply them with sediment. Erosion can be accelerated by an increase in rain, weathering by wind and frost and an increase in sea level rise and storms. This can cause mass movement of the cliff, either as soil creeps on gentle slopes, or landslides on steeper slopes. Because of its geology and exposure to the North Sea, the coastline of the Anglian river basin district is susceptible to coastal erosion. Sediment movement is particularly important to shape and re-shape its dynamic shoreline. This means that flood and erosion risk are linked in some locations; the rate of the erosion of soft cliffs in specific locations is an imminent risk to life and property. The most significant areas of coastal erosion are in north-east Norfolk and parts of Suffolk where property, agriculture and internationally designated wildlife sites are at risk. There are also large areas of low-lying rural and agricultural land along the coast and estuaries of the river basin district, interspersed with seaside and estuary towns, major ports and smaller rural communities. The local economy is linked to coastal activities and the coastal hinterland. The majority of the coast and estuaries are defended to protect against erosion and flood risk from the North Sea. The Environment Agency has the coastal Strategic Overview in England. The coastal overview joins up coastal management activities to ensure flooding and erosion risk is managed effectively. The overview encourages authorities to work together in partnership to achieve effective management of coastal flooding and erosion risks. Work to tackle coastal erosion is the responsibility of district or unitary councils. Local authorities have operational powers relating to managing coastal erosion under the Coast Protection Act 1949 and the Flood and Water Management Act 2010. Local Authorities lead on coastal risk 40 of 86
management activities and undertake works on sea flooding and coastal erosion where they are best placed to do so. This is undertaken in collaboration with the Environment Agency. Shoreline Management plans are non-statutory, high level planning documents. They are large scale assessments of the risk associated with coastal processes, and a policy framework to reduce these risks to people and the developed, historic and natural environment in a sustainable manner. They set the strategic direction for how the coast is wanted to be managed over the next 100 years. SMPs identify the most sustainable approaches to managing coastal erosion and flooding risks in the short, medium, and long term. During the development of Shoreline Management Plans, a range of partners and the public were extensively consulted and involved in the decision making processes. This FRMP also draws some coastal erosion information from the SMP2. The SMP measures included in this FRMP are those that are most relevant for sea flooding and flood risk issues. You can access further information and the full SMPs here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/shoreline-management-plans-smps/shoreline- management-plans-smps. SMPs remain the primary high level strategic planning documents on the coast, as they also contain information on coastal erosion risk management, and their content can be updated or changed using an established auditable process. These changes may be prompted by changes in the evidence base guiding management decisions in SMPs, including evidence emerging from experience of the ongoing implementation of RBMPs. In this way, the Programme of Measures in RBMPs, the action plan and information in the FRMP, and the ‘living’ SMP documents should successfully inform and align to each other. The Environment Agency leads the East Anglian Coastal Groups programme of annual coastal monitoring of the Anglian coastline on behalf of all the Maritime District Councils. This includes aerial survey of ground levels using LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) and aerial photography, sediment sampling, bathymetry (measuring bed levels under water) and a variety of other data collection and analysis. Marine and Coastal Access Act (2009) The Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 established the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) to produce marine plans, administer marine licensing and manage marine fisheries in English waters. It introduced marine planning in the UK through production of a marine policy statement and more detailed marine plans setting spatial policy at a more local level. Eleven marine plans covering English waters are anticipated by 2021. Marine plans will inform and guide marine users and regulators across England, managing the sustainable development of marine industries such as wind farms and fishing, alongside the need to conserve and protect marine species and habitats. At its landward extent, a marine plan will apply up to mean high water, including estuaries and the tidal extent of rivers. All public bodies making authorisation or enforcement decisions capable of affecting the marine area must do so in accordance with the Marine Policy Statement (MPS) or marine plans (where they are in place) or state reasons for not doing so. Marine licensing, administered by the MMO is the main environmental and development control system below high water. Further information can be found on the MMO web pages on GOV.UK https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/marine-planning-in-england
The coastal areas of the Anglian river basin district are covered by 2 marine plan areas, East and South East Inshore and further offshore, the East Offshore marine plan. The marine plans inform and guide marine users and regulators across England, managing the sustainable development of marine industries, such as wind farms and fishing, alongside the need to conserve and protect marine species and habitats. Coastal Squeeze
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Flood risk and coastal erosion management measures, such as coastal flood defences, can have an impact on wetland and coastal environments and their conservation interest. As sea-levels rise, intertidal habitat in front of a flood defence can get squeezed and erode. It is therefore important that a long term plan and measures are in place to compensate for habitat losses. Measures can include habitat creation that offsets or replaces habitat losses. Risk Management and Coastal Authorities are encouraged to develop a strategic approach to the planning and delivery of any habitat creation measures that they anticipate will be required before seeking consent for plans or projects. Society and health Almost 6 million people live and work in towns and cities within the river basin district with children making up 19.3% of the population, 58.9% are of working age, and 21.8% are retirees. Many of the towns within the river basin district are proposing significant housing growth, along with the creation of jobs and services. In particular, the Nene catchment has one of the fastest growing economies. The overall level of deprivation for Anglian river basin district is relatively low in comparison to the other regions. However, there are a few areas of high level deprivation within the larger urban areas of Luton, Norwich and Ipswich. The smaller urban areas considered deprived are primarily located on or close to the coast and are considered to be at risk of flooding, such as Boston, King’s Lynn, Great Yarmouth, Lowestoft, Clacton‑on-Sea and Southend-on-Sea. Jaywick in Essex is ranked as the most deprived area1 in England and is considered to be at a high level of flood risk from sea flooding. Land use The Anglian river basin district is predominantly rural, with 78% of the land used for agriculture and horticulture. This is due to the high quality soil types for agricultural production, particularly in the Lincolnshire and Cambridgeshire Fens. The Anglian river basin district is the richest wetland wildlife region in the UK and The Broads is Britain’s largest nationally protected wetland. The Fens (including the Ouse and Nene Washes) provides a rich and unique habitat for wildlife, less than 1% of the original wetland habitat remains due to conversion to agricultural land. There are areas of grassland and woodland in the upper parts of the district where steeper slopes and clay soils are less suitable for arable use. Around 2.67% of the total land in the river basin district is woodland. This can be seen to the north of Bury St Edmunds, most notably in Thetford Figure 5 Lower River Witham showing typical Forest alongside large pockets of set-aside agricultural land use and natural grassland. Woodland is beneficial to the management of flood risk as rainwater soaks into the ground up to 60 times faster in wooded areas than arable land.
1 Sources: Index of Multiple index 2010 http://the Environment Agencybarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20120601152500/http://www.communities.gov.uk/communities/research/indicesdeprivation/depri vation10/ 42 of 86
Appropriately located and designed woodland can help reduce flood risk. Opportunity mapping is being used to identify and then promote locations where woodland creation can deliver multiple benefits for flood risk, water quality, and the wider environment. Historically, many urban areas in the river basin district have developed close to rivers and within flood plains. For example the main urban centres within the Great Ouse catchment (such as Milton Keynes, Ely, King’s Lynn and Cambridge) are located along the River Great Ouse and its tributaries. Current local planning policies aim to direct new development away from flood plains and to promote flood storage areas, such as the Milton Keynes Balancing Lakes and the Northampton Washlands. There are several urban areas in the river basin district that are growing rapidly, such as Milton Keynes, Northampton, Lincoln, Grantham and Cambridge, or undergoing extensive regeneration, such as the Causeway development in Maldon and Heybridge, the Thames Gateway South Essex (TGSE) and the redevelopment of Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft. Many of these growth areas are in areas of flood risk. There is evidence that woodland measures can reduce flood flows, particularly but not only within smaller catchments. Trees help reduce flood risk in a number of ways: greater water use by trees compared to other vegetation types reduces run-off and also creates greater capacity for woodland soils to absorb rainfall during flood events;
higher infiltration rates of forest soils resulting from the extensive rooting systems of trees reduces run-off to watercourses and aids interception of overland flow from adjacent land;
Flood plain and riparian woodland can slow down flood flows, increase temporary storage and thereby delay the transfer of flood water downstream;
soils under woodland are generally protected from erosion risk, reducing delivery of sediment to watercourses.
Therefore, ‘woodland measures’ for flood risk reduction include both targeted woodland creation – in the right place and to the right design – and woodland management such as the installation of features such as large woody debris dams to reconnect watercourses with already wooded riparian zones and flood plains. The 2011 ‘Woodland for Water’ report detailed the evidence behind these conclusions. As a result opportunity mapping to be used to identify where in the country to target woodland measures to help reduce flood risk. Priority locations fall into three categories: Flood plains – where hydraulic roughness from woodland cover slows the flow and encourages the deposition of sediment;
Riparian zones – to intercept overland flow, protect river banks from erosion, and help slow the flow of water;
Wider catchment planting – to protect sensitive soils from erosion, increase infiltration rates, and intercept sediment in run-off from adjacent land.
While opportunity maps can identify priority catchments where woodland creation and management can help reduce flood risk, it is important that woodland is located in the right part of the landscape and then designed and managed appropriately in order to maximise their contribution to reducing flood risk.
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Figure 6 Topographic map of the Anglian RBD
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Economic activity It is estimated that the East of England economy generated £106.8 billion of gross value added (GVA) on a workplace basis (8.8 per cent of the UK total) in 2007. The economy of the area is growing and a rate of 8% increase was recorded between January and June 2013. Lincolnshire, Norfolk and Suffolk produce 24% of all England’s cereal and 45% of the UK’s vegetables. Other important sectors are key research and development centres in and around Cambridge, alongside manufacturing industries across the river basin district. Many of the country’s key ports are located within the river basin district, including Felixstowe and Harwich, providing important economic activity for the area. Tourism is another key industry within the river basin district. Skegness on the Lincolnshire coast, the North Norfolk coastal towns of Hunstanton, Cromer and Sheringham down to the Suffolk seaside town, Southwold and Clacton in Essex are very popular tourist destinations. There is also a thriving tourism economy in the Norfolk Broads. Anglian is one of the fastest growing districts within the country, and there has been considerable investment in expansion of existing towns and cities. Many of these sectors rely on land drainage and flood risk management activities to help support continuous economic growth. There are a number of Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) which play an important role in attracting investment and encouraging growth and regeneration across the river basin district. Recreation and tourism The Anglian river basin district offers some outstanding recreational opportunities which contribute to people’s quality of life and bring economic benefit from tourism. Examples include the Norfolk Broads, seaside towns and wildlife on the coast, Grafham Water and the Grand Union Canal, Rutland Water, and numerous other recreational activities. There are 5 Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Lincolnshire Wolds, Norfolk Coast, Suffolk Coast and Heaths, the Chilterns Dedham Vale and The Broads National Park. In North Norfolk and Suffolk the coast is designated as a Heritage Coast. These areas attract large numbers of tourists each year, providing an important contribution to the economy. The coast is such a prominent part of the Anglian river basin district that sea-side towns, coastal trails and wildlife conservation sites attract people all year round. Holiday resorts, caravans and chalet-style parks contribute significantly to the economy. These are present all along the Anglian coast from Skegness and Mablethorpe in the north to Stour valley and seaside resorts of Clacton and Frinton-on- Sea in Essex. Around 950,000 people visiting and stay along the Norfolk coast each year. In addition there are 8.5 million day visitors, contributing £357 million to the local economy. Many of the holiday parks, and associated leisure facilities, are located along the low-lying coast, at risk of both coastal flooding, and fluvial flooding from outfalls of drainage systems or the overtopping of drains. The holiday parks increase the population on the coast significantly. The Great Ouse, Fenland watercourses, Middle Level Navigations and the Grand Union Canal provide approximately 250 miles of navigable waterways used for tourism and recreation. The tidal rivers of the Norfolk Broads also provide over 200 miles of lock-free navigable waterways. Rutland Water in the Welland catchment and Grafham Water in the Great Ouse catchment provide sailing, trout fishing and bird watching. Walking, cycling and other water sports also attract visitors to these man-made reservoirs. Infrastructure Infrastructure within the river basin district includes many railways, motorways and primary roads. Significant infrastructure in the Anglian river basin district includes the ports of Felixstowe and Harwich providing a gateway to export UK trade. The rail (such as the East Coast Main Line
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Railway) and A14 provide direct links west from the international ports to the Midlands and the rest of the country. There are several airports including Norwich, Cambridge and Southend, and the district is home to numerous Royal Air-Force and US Airforce bases. In addition to the main transport links, the waterways and coast within the river basin district are important for leisure craft. The Grand Union Canal runs along the western edge of the District, linking the Midlands with the Nene and Great Ouse used by leisure craft. Numerous marinas are found along these waterways, and up and down the coast, bringing in significant business to the local economies. There are some nationally and locally important powers stations within the river basin district (including Sizewell B and Bradwell nuclear power station, hydropower and solar fields). The river basin district has approximately 1,300 licensed waste sites, and 2,000 historic landfill sites, many located near rivers and the coast, and are at risk of flooding. There are also a number of wastewater treatment plants at risk of flooding. Landscape The landscape of the river basin district is a mosaic of natural and manmade environments. The urban environment varies from the well- developed extended towns and merging suburbs of Essex, Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire in the south and west to the rural areas of Suffolk, Norfolk and Lincolnshire to the north and east. The coast is also dotted with rural and seaside towns. The natural environment ranges from gentle chalk and limestone ridges to the lowlands of the Fens and the coastal estuaries and marshes of East
Anglia. Many of these are recognised for their Figure 7 Mouth of the Stour and Orwell landscape value and are designated as Areas of estuaries showing Harwich, Shotley and Outstanding Natural Beauty and heritage coasts. Felixstowe port
The water environment within some of these designated areas is fundamental to the character of the landscape, such as The Broads National Park. Minerals extraction is an important industry across the river basin district, and a number of former extraction sites have been turned into reservoirs, recreational water bodies, or used as landfills. Surface quarrying is particularly important in the Upper Ouse and Bedford Ouse catchment.
Figure 8 The rural landscape of Lincolnshire – Barlings Eau
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Biodiversity The river basin district supports a diverse range of habitats, from agricultural landscapes, fenland, the wetlands and ancient woodland to heathland, rivers and a long low-lying coast that supports a wide range of freshwater, brackish and salt water habitats, all interspersed with rapidly growing urban populations. This river basin district has an extensive and varied coastline which includes 33% of the UK’s salt marsh habitat. The importance of this habitat is reflected by a variety of international, national and local nature conservation designations, which include: - 24 Special Areas of Conservation (SACs), 22 Special Protection Areas (SPAs) 25 Ramsar sites which are water related. Blackwater, Colne, Roach and Crouch Estuary Marine Conservation Zone approximately 678 Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) 55 National Nature Reserves (NNRs). The Wash is the largest SSSI in England, containing 14% of England’s coastal SSSI habitat. It is also designated a SAC, a Ramsar site, and SPA. It holds 90% of the English population of common seals in the UK. Towards the east, where much of the land is flat and low-lying, many of the SSSIs have close links with the water environment. The majority of SSSIs in the river basin district are in favourable condition, with abstraction, general water shortage, and flooding and coastal erosion considered to be the key threats to the condition of these SSSIs. Waterbodies and wetland areas within the river basin district support a number of protected species (such as otters and water voles) and priority species listed in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (such as freshwater white-clawed crayfish and bittern). Invasive species, such as signal craysfish, are present in over half of the waterbodies across the river basin district. Cultural heritage The Anglian river basin district contains a wealth of cultural heritage and archaeological remains, with approximately 2,500 Scheduled Ancient Monuments (SAMs) and numerous listed buildings, registered parks and gardens, and archaeological sites. The town of Colchester is the oldest recorded roman town in Britain. The river basin district is rich in archaeology, particularly in the Fens due to the preservation properties of the peat found there. The peat deposits in the Fen Basin overlie internationally important prehistoric remains, such as Bronze Age sites and boats. Nationally important prehistoric metalwork has been retrieved from the river Witham and its flood plain during the development of farm boundaries, railway constructions and flood defence works. More recently, flood embankment improvement works near Fiskerton (5 miles east of Lincoln) uncovered an Iron Age Longboat Geology Flood risk is partly moderated by the underlying geology which varies across the river basin district. The bedrock geology of the river basin district is characterised by sandstone, mudstone, limestone chalk and clay. In some places the surface or drift geology features peat, clays, sands, silts and gravels laid over the bedrock. In other areas the bedrock remains exposed or lies directly beneath the soil. A band of underlying Cretaceous (135 million years ago) chalk runs diagonally across the river basin district across North Norfolk and some parts of Suffolk, Lincolnshire and Cambridgeshire. This gives many of the rivers a relatively stable, predictable change of flow that doesn’t show great seasonal
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variation. This is because some of the rivers are generally dominated by groundwater flows rather than surface water run-off. In Essex, Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire, silts and sands from the Palaeogene period (600 million years ago) and London clay, is overlain with Quaternary (2.6 million years ago) gravel deposits left behind as glaciers retreated. This geology leads to a rapid rise in river levels following heavy or prolonged rainfall. The Suffolk and east Norfolk coastline is made up of similar gravels, sands, silts and clay, similar to those found in Essex which is eroded by the sea. Significant bands of bedrock are dominated by clay, with mudstone, siltstone and sandstone in places such as Peterborough and Spalding. Soil Soil types and characteristics are derived from how the land was formed historically and this can affect the movement of water in the catchment. Loosely packed, deep soils retain more rainfall and have a slower surface run-off response than shallow or densely packed soils such as clays. The type of soil and its drainage properties affects how quickly water can drain into the ground or run along the surface. The Anglian river basin district soil type varies greatly. Loosely packed sandy, silty soils across Bedfordshire, areas of Essex and Suffolk means water can drain away from the surface. Also within areas of chalky soil across Norfolk, Lincolnshire and Cambridgeshire water infiltrates the ground and is stored as groundwater. Tightly packed layers of clay soils across Essex and Northamptonshire absorb less rainwater so respond quickly to heavy rainfall and are more susceptible to surface water flooding. The Fens and the Broads have some of the largest tracts of highly fertile silt and peat agricultural land in the UK. This includes 58% of the country’s grade 1 and grade 2 agricultural land. Erosion has reduced the top soils in the higher elevations of the river basin district which means it is unable to retain as much water and potentially moves more sediment into the rivers. Soil drainage capacity is a critical factor in flooding and catchment responses. Well managed, un-compacted soils rich in organic matter will be able to absorb rainfall. However, drainage infrastructure can also be critical because once soils become waterlogged, and if Figure 9 Peaty soils of the South water cannot drain away, there is an increased Lincolnshire Fens risk of surface water run-off and sediment transfer. Farmers are now much more aware of the need to manage soils sustainably to reduce soil compaction and erosion and the farming industry has engaged in a number of initiatives to provide help and support to farmers to enable them to manage their soils. Technology is also providing assistance and new techniques which can help manage soil, increase infiltration and reduce the risk of soil erosion. Catchment Sensitive Farming pilot programmes have proved to be an effective method of improving environmental management and soil conservation on farms in the Anglian River Basin District.
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6. Key Flood Risk Issues in the Anglian River Basin District
Many areas across the river basin district have experienced flooding from a variety of different sources. The geography and topography of the river basin district mean that it is particularly susceptible to large scale fluvial and sea flooding. There are a number of very extensive rivers in the river basin district, often with multiple tributaries. Very large fluvial events have occurred across the river basin district over the years, some of these affecting multiple rivers at the same time. The discharge from some of these rivers is also dependent upon tidal conditions, which means the rivers can become tide locked and unable to discharge river water during some high-tide periods. Low-lying areas of land adjacent to the coast, often located behind raised sea defences, are susceptible to tidal surges given that many of these areas were previously marsh lands which have been drained and re-claimed from the sea. Coastal surges can result in sea defences being overtopped when sea levels are high enough to combine with wind direction and wave heights, the most recent example of this type of flooding was the East Coast Tidal Surge 5 December 2013. Surge tides are a particular threat when combined with strong north easterly winds and high waves.
Figure 10 View of the tidal Haven looking towards Boston the day after the east coast tidal surge on the 5th December 2013.
Coastal erosion and deposition occurs along the length of the river basin district and is dependent upon the nature of the coastline. For example, whilst some areas of the coast are experiencing deposition, such as The Wash, other areas are experiencing erosion with the coastline retreating in parts of north-east Norfolk and parts of Suffolk.
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Flood History Records of past flooding in each of the catchments within the river basin district are useful for understanding the sources, seasonality, frequency and intensity of flooding. They can be used to identify the likely locations, scale of expected flooding and the contributing factors, for example heavy and/or prolonged rainfall, tidal surges and blockages of surface water drainage systems. Recent Flooding The winters of 2012/2013 and 2013/2014 were particularly notable in the intensity and duration of flooding within some catchments. Winter 2013/2014 resulted in significant flooding of properties and large areas of farmland. Tidal defences were overtopped during the East Coast Tidal Surge 5 December 2013 causing damage and flooding hundreds of properties and thousands of hectares of farmland.
Figure 11 Flooding in Digby, Lincolnshire during 2012 when many communities in the Anglian RBD suffered repeated and prolonged flooding.
Historic Flooding Historical records identify a number of significant floods within the river basin district over the last 100 years. The information below shows where 30 or more properties have been affected in a single location. There are many more locations and dates where fewer properties flooded, or where details of numbers of properties affected are not known. More comprehensive details of past floods are listed in individual CFMPs and in reports of major flood events. https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/catchment-flood-management-plans
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Table 7.1: Summary of historical flooding across the river basin district (RBD) Date Type Known areas affected Consequences 1912 Fluvial Norwich Multiple properties flooded October 1939 Canal breach Nene Valley Canal failure lead to extensive flooding in the catchment March 1947 Fluvial and RBD wide Multiple properties flooded; Lowland surface water flooding of Great Ouse, Welland and
Nene January 1953 North Sea Coastal areas in Lincolnshire, More than 300 people died; Tens of tidal surge Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex and thousands of properties flooded; Large Kent amount of farmland covered with salt water July 1958 Fluvial Multiple areas RBD wide – Multiple properties flooded; Thousands Lincolnshire, Cambridgeshire, of hectares of farmland flooded Essex, Norfolk and Suffolk September 1968 Fluvial and Multiple areas RBD wide - Multiple properties flooded groundwater Cambridgeshire, Essex, Norfolk and Suffolk January 1978 Tidal Wash areas including King’s Very significant damage to properties Lynn and downstream of Wisbech April and June RBD wide Multiple properties flooded; Thousands 1981 of hectares of farmland flooded September 1992 Fluvial River Ouse - Bedford to Roads impassable; Multiple properties Newport Pagnell; River Nene flooded October 1993 Fluvial RBD wide Multiple properties flooded; Thousands of hectares of farmland flooded November 1997 North Sea Gt Yarmouth, Walcott, Acle, Multiple properties flooded and tidal surge Brundall, Reedham and Agricultural land Beccles, Oulton Broad, and Southwould Easter 1998 Fluvial and RBD wide Two people died; Thousands of surface water properties flooded; Tens of thousands
flooding of hectares of farmland flooded; Disruption of utility supplies Autumn 2000 Fluvial and RBD wide Multiple properties flooded; Thousands surface water of hectares of farmland flooded
flooding October 2001 Fluvial and RBD wide – Cambridgeshire, Multiple properties flooded; Many surface water Essex hectares of farmland flooded flooding January 2003 Fluvial, RBD wide Multiple properties flooded ; Disruption surface water to the road and rail network
and groundwater Summer 2007 Fluvial and RBD wide Multiple properties flooded; Disruption surface water to the road and rail network
Summer/Autumn/ Fluvial and RBD wide Multiple properties flooded; Disruption Winter 2012 to surface water of utility supplies; Thousands of
2013 hectares of farmland flooded
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Date Type Known areas affected Consequences Winter 2013 to Fluvial and RBD wide Multiple properties flooded; Many 2014 surface water hectares of farmland flooded
December 2013 Tidal Surge RBD wide Recorded sea levels higher than the 1953 tidal surge, however; no loss of
life; Multiple properties flooded; Thousands of hectares of farmland flooded; Disruption of utility supplies; Extensive damage to tidal defences; July 2014 Multiple Canvey Island The entire average rainfall for July fell sources in just one hour with an estimated return period of a 1 in 316 years or 0.3% chance of it occurring any year. Multiple properties and roads flooded.
August 2014 Multiple Cambridgeshire Multiple residential and commercial sources properties flooded, particularly around Cambridge and March; disruption to utility supplies and road network.
Figure 12 Flooding from the River Nene in Peterborough during 2012
Find out more
Interactive flood maps for flooding from rivers, the sea, reservoirs and surface water - http://watermaps.environment- agency.gov.uk/wiyby/wiyby.aspx?lang=_e&topic=floodmap&layer#x=357683&y=3551 34&scale=2
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Flood risk from rivers and sea
Table 6 Summary of flood risk from rivers and sea to people, economic activity and the natural and historic environment across the Anglian river basin district. River and Sea Total in High risk Moderate Low risk Very low river basin risk risk district Risk to people: Number of people in river basin 5,974,950 55,900 146,600 338,400 9,600 district: Number of services: 13,940 620 740 970 30
Risk to economic activity:
Number of non-residential 862,000 15,800 43,050 60,000 1,600 properties: Number of airports: 2 0 0 0 0
Length of roads (primary routes) 4,510 70 200 280 <10 (km): Length of railway (km): 1,580 70 150 120 <10 Agricultural land (ha): 2,163,600 118,900 229,650 133,850 800
Risk to the natural and historic environment: Number of EU designated bathing 10 7 0 0 0 waters within 50m: Number of EPR installations within 654 46 57 55 1 50m: Area of SAC within area (ha): 153,750 10,950 1,200 4,600 <50 Area of SPA within area (ha): 160,900 18,850 1,800 6,050 150
Area of RAMSAR site within area 118,450 18,050 1,700 5,700 150 (ha): Area of World Heritage Site within 0 0 0 0 0 area (ha): Area of SSSI within area (ha): 185,850 23,050 3,500 7,200 200
Area of Parks and Gardens within 27,300 650 300 300 <10 area (ha): Area of Scheduled Ancient 6,950 450 350 400 <10 Monument within area (ha): Number of Listed Buildings within 63,270 1,350 1,270 2,880 80 area: Number of Licensed water 16,750 4,200 7,490 560 <10 abstractions within the area:
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Figure 13 Flood risk from rivers and the sea - Risk to people 54 of 86
Figure 14 Flood risk from rivers and the sea - Risk to economic activity 55 of 86
Bathing waters that may be adversely affected by surface water run-off
Figure 15 Flood risk from rivers and the sea - Risk to the Natural and Historic Environment 56 of 86
Bathing waters that may be adversely affected by surface water run-off
Flood risk from Reservoirs The Environment Agency regulates large raised reservoirs with regard to flood risk and provides guidance to reservoir ‘undertakers’ to help them manage their asset. Enforcement action may then be taken to seek improvements in some circumstances. The ‘flood risk map for reservoirs’ for the Anglian RBD, which can be found on the gov.uk website, shows what is at risk, including people, economic activity and the environment. The statistics and maps below illustrate the extent of reservoir flood risk across the Anglian RBD.
Table 7 Summary flood risk from reservoirs to people, economic activity and the natural and historic environment across the Anglian river basin district. Reservoirs Total in river Maximum extent basin district of flooding Risk to people: Number of people in river basin district: 5,974,950 170,200 Number of services: 13,940 670
Risk to economic activity: Number of non-residential properties: 861,990 32,860 Number of airports: 2 0 Length of roads (primary routes) (km): 4,510 220 Length of railway (km): 1,580 120 Agricultural land (ha): 2,163,600 141,900
Risk to the natural and historic environment: Number of EU designated bathing waters within 50m: 10 0* Number of EPR installations within 50m: 654 45* Area of SAC within area (ha): 153,750 6,150 Area of SPA within area (ha): 160,900 8,200 Area of RAMSAR site within area (ha): 118,450 6,800 Area of World Heritage Site within area (ha): 0 0 Area of SSSI within area (ha): 185,850 11,100 Area of Parks and Gardens within area (ha): 27,300 700 Area of Scheduled Ancient Monument within area (ha): 6,950 600 Number of Listed Buildings within area: 63,270 2,180 Number of Licensed water abstractions within the area: 16,750 6,550
* These sites are within 50m of the extent area expected to flood if a reservoir breached.
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Figure 16 Reservoir flood risk - Risk to people 58 of 86
Figure 17 Reservoir flood risk - Risk to Economic activity 59 of 86
Bathing waters that may be adversely affected by surface water run-off
Figure 18 Reservoir flood risk - Risk to the Natural and Historic Environment 60 of 86
Flood risk from Surface water LLFAs are responsible for managing the risk of flooding from surface water. Surface water is rainwater on the ground that hasn’t already entered a watercourse, drain or sewer. Surface water flooding can occur within minutes of intense rain, so it is virtually impossible to predict. Problems can quickly occur in several places, and although these might be over a small area, a local council’s resources can quickly become stretched. It is good practice to plan for where drains and watercourses could become overwhelmed in heavy rain and ensure they kept free from obstructions such as vegetation and debris. Mapping the flow path of the surface water can help consider if roads and open space can be used to safely channel water away from people and property. Surface water flooding is a problem across Anglian due to run-off from fields and roads in rural areas, or from roofs and paved surfaces in built-up, urban areas or sometimes due to insufficient capacity of drains and sewer. In the long-term SuDS may help to manage surface water flooding and or mitigate for inappropriate development. In the short-term, local councils have identified the places where properties are at greater risk of surface water flooding and will gather more data for some of these before considering a range of measures according to circumstances. In some locations this will involve working closely with Anglian Water and the Environment Agency to understand complex interactions between the drainage, sewer, river and sea defences. It is important the whole system is equipped to manage the risk. Prior to April 2015 the Environment Agency was also a statutory consultee for large developments, greater than 1ha in size in flood zone 1 (i.e. in areas at low risk of flooding from rivers and the sea). However, since 15 April 2015 this duty has now passed onto the Lead Local Flood Authorities who now provide local planning authorities with comments on surface water management for new development. This includes review of sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) associated with new development. The Flood Risk Regulations require flood maps to be produced and published. This also required the LLFA to produce flood maps for surface water. Updated flood maps for surface water were published on 3 December 2013. The maps are used by LLFAs to carry out their duties under the Flood and Water Management Act. They also raise public awareness of surface water flooding and will be useful for spatial planning, particularly as an information source for flood risk assessments.
Interactive maps that show areas at risk of surface water flooding can be viewed on the Environment Agency’s What’s in your back yard page online.
Find out more
What in your back yard surface water map - \\prodds.ntnl\shared\AN\Anglian\FP\Vision Strategy and Policy\Strategic Planning\FRMP\02 FINAL FRMP\FINAL FRMP with Howards comments\•http:\watermaps.environment- agency.gov.uk\wiyby\wiyby.aspx#x=364920andy=572962andscale=2
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Table 8 Summary flood risk from surface water to people, economic activity and the natural and historic environment across the Anglian river basin district. Total in river Surface Water Moderate basin High risk Low risk risk district Risk to people: Number of people in river basin district: 5,974,950 65,150 99,500 480,600 Number of services: 13,940 340 330 1,340
Risk to economic activity: Number of non-residential properties: 862,000 12,150 14,650 66,000 Number of airports: 2 0 0 0 Length of roads (primary routes) (km): 4,510 200 190 620 Length of railway (km): 1,580 80 60 160 Agricultural land (ha): 2,163,600 43,500 33,250 139,300
Risk to the natural and historic environment: Number of EU designated bathing waters 10 1 1 2 within 50m: Number of EPR installations within 50m: 654 225 88 166 Area of SAC within area (ha): 153,750 250 250 1,550 Area of SPA within area (ha): 160,900 550 550 3,100 Area of RAMSAR site within area (ha): 118,450 500 400 2,350 Area of World Heritage Site within area (ha): 0 0 0 0 Area of SSSI within area (ha): 185,850 1,400 1,200 5,650 Area of Parks and Gardens within area (ha): 27,300 650 350 1,350
Area of Scheduled Ancient Monument within 6,950 200 150 500 area (ha): Number of Listed Buildings within area: 63,270 540 400 2,200
Number of Licensed water abstractions within 16,750 2,940 1,850 4,920 the area:
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Reporting Boundary Surface Water Flood Risk Map
Figure 16 Surface Water Risk for the Anglian RBD
Figure 19 Surface Water Risk for the Anglian RBD
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Table 9 Summary flood risk from surface water to people, economic activity and the natural and historic environment for the South Essex Flood Risk Area (FRA).
Surface Water Total in flood High risk Moderate Low risk risk area risk Risk to people: Number of people in flood risk area: 476,300 14,950 13,600 56,950 Number of properties in area: 202,700 5,950 5,7800 24,250 Number of services: 450 50 20 100
Risk to economic activity: Number of non-residential properties: 29,606 1,559 1,063 4,266 Number of airports: 1 0 0 0 Length of roads (km): 80 10 3 20 Length of railway (km): 60 20 4 10 Agricultural land (ha): 11,200 800 300 1,100
Risk to the natural and historic environment: Number of EU designated bathing waters 6 1 0 2 within 50m: Number of EPR installations within 50m: 8 6 2 0 Area of SAC within area (ha): 1,200 0 0 0 Area of SPA within area (ha): 2,750 2 1 8 Area of RAMSAR site within area (ha): 2,750 2 1 8
Area of World Heritage Site within area 0 0 0 0 (ha): Area of SSSI within area (ha): 3,200 50 14 50
Area of Parks and Gardens within area 0 0 0 0 (ha): Area of Scheduled Ancient Monument 100 10 2 10 within area (ha): Number of Listed Buildings within area: 410 20 3 20
Number of Licensed water abstractions 50 20 0 8 within the area:
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Figure 21 Surface water flood risk – Risk to people in the South Essex FRA
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Figure 22 Surface water flood risk – Risk to economic activity in the South 66 of 86 Essex FRA
Bathing waters that may be adversely affected by surface water run-off
Figure 23 Surface water flood risk - Risk to the natural and historic 67 of 86 environment in the South Essex FRA
Groundwater Flood Risk LLFAs are responsible for managing the risk of flooding from Groundwater. Groundwater is naturally stored in the ground below the water table level. When the water table rises and reaches ground level, water starts to emerge on the surface and flooding can happen. This may be because the ground slopes, or because of break in the rock layers. Once on the surface this groundwater may flow or pond. Groundwater flooding is therefore closely linked to ground conditions, so is less common in the North West than in other parts of England, such as the south east where chalk is quite common. Groundwater flooding of gardens can be an issue near the coast, where the water table is naturally high. Areas east of Stockport have also experienced some groundwater flooding too, along with a housing development near Kendal which was built in a hollow. Historically, water has been abstracted from rivers and boreholes for use by industry. However, a decline in manufacturing has caused groundwater levels in Merseyside (Mersey Estuary and Alt and Crossens catchments) to rise. The Environment Agency produces Catchment Abstraction Management Plans, which seek a sustainable approach. For example they aim to avoid the problem of over-abstraction and falling groundwater levels. In coastal/tidal areas that scenario can result in saline intrusion into groundwater. Heritage remains can also be degraded by falling groundwater levels which dry out the ground. Conversely, re-wetting can also be harmful to them. Canal Flood Risk Canals are fed by reservoirs or the wider catchment along them to compensate for minor water losses due to leakage and evaporation and the water used as boats descend canal locks. Surface water run-off from areas near to canals also drains into them. Overflow weirs at intervals along canal banks maintain a fairly constant water level and these outfall into watercourses passing nearby or underneath. Canals can alleviate flood risk due to the large storage volume represented by a small level increase along several kilometres of water body. They can also move water artificially within or between a catchment and delay the timing of flood peaks. However, canals constitute linear impoundments of significant bodies of water between locks and potential temporary closure points. Flood risk can arise if an embankment breaches where a canal is on ground above the level of nearby property, or a culvert beneath the canal collapses. The nature of this type flooding, although very rare, means that it can be serious and happens without warning. The Canal and Rivers Trust are not a designated Risk Management Authority within the Flood and Water Management Act, 2010 but do have responsibilities for managing their infrastructure to minimise risk to others, including during incidents. Most canals in the Anglian river basin district that are also main rivers are managed accordingly to minimise flood risk. Flood risk from canals is included in risk from main river and sea to allow us to consider catchments as one system. There are some small remnant and disused canals, which do not fall under the jurisdiction of a risk management authority.
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Sewer Flood Risk Anglian Water supply water to approximately 2.5m households in East Anglia and adjacent areas. They manage 46,727 miles of pipe that deliver used water to over 1,000 water recycling centres. These systems play an important role in managing flood risk from sewer and surface water across the river basin district. The sewerage systems are not designed to accommodate flows from exceptional rainfall events. The standard sewer design criteria is to prevent internal flooding from rainfall events up to a 1 in 30 year storm return period and external flooding from events up to a 1 in 20 year storm return period. Events larger than this may cause flooding from incapacity of the system. When flooding is a result of the lack of sewer capacity, properties are added to an ‘at risk’ register. As part of Anglian Water’s obligation to Ofwat, they are required to undertake capacity improvements to alleviate sewer flooding problems, which are prioritised to those seeing frequent flooding of properties. Anglian Water prioritises their programme of works on the basis of cost benefit; the benefits to their customers must be greater than the whole life cost of the scheme. Anglian Water’s draft 2014 Water Resource Management Plan (WRMP) outlines how they are going to maintain the balance between supply and demand over the next 25 years, as well as deal with the longer term challenge of population increase, climate change and growing environmental needs. There are no statistics contained within this plan relating to sewer flooding. However, Anglian Water has Figure 24 Sewer and surface water volunteered actions to be included in this FRMP to provide flooding in Brampton during 2014 a joined up approach to management of flood risk.
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7. Sub-areas in the Anglian river basin district Introduction There are a number of sub-areas within the Anglian river basin district, as shown in Figure 25 and outlined below. These sub-areas and issues in them are described in Catchment Summaries in Part B of the FRMP. These are: Catchments (which are set out according to WFD Management Catchments) Flood Risk Areas (identified in the Preliminary Flood Risk Assessment): areas that require flood risk management plans for local sources of flooding. Strategic areas are where flood risk management needs to be considered across more than 1 sub-area. Flood Risk Areas These are identified through the Preliminary Flood Risk Assessment as areas of potentially significant local flood risk (for instance surface run-off, groundwater and ordinary watercourses), for which FRMPs need to be prepared. Within the Anglian FRMP there is only one FRA: South Essex Flood Risk Area – covers the southern section of the Combined Essex Catchment. A small section of this FRA falls within the Thames river basin district, but for simplicity, all the information is included in this FRMP. The Environment Agency has worked with Essex County Council and Southend-On-Sea Borough council to include information for local sources of flooding for the South Essex FRA risk in Part B. Management Catchments These areas are set out according to WFD Management Catchments. The Environment Agency focuses engagement in these areas to enable a catchment based approach to managing the water environment. There are 11 catchments in the Anglian river basin district, as listed below: Broadland Rivers Cam and Ely Ouse (including South Level) Combined Essex East Suffolk Nene North Norfolk Rivers North West Norfolk Old Bedford (including middle Level) Upper and Bedford Ouse Welland Witham
Strategic Area of the Fens These are areas where it is important to consider flood risk management across more than 1 sub- area, so that partners can work in a co-ordinated way to set out conclusions, objectives and measures to manage risk. There is one strategic area: The Fens Strategic Area - The Fens is a vast area of low-lying land below sea level, which extends across Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, Suffolk and Lincolnshire. As the Fens encompass
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numerous catchments and multiple sources of flooding, the area is considered an important strategic area.
Find out more
Preliminary Flood Risk Assessment for Essex http://www.essex.gov.uk/Environment%20Planning/Environmental-Issues/local- environment/flooding/Flood-water-management-strategies/Pages/Preliminary-Flood- Risk-Assessment.aspx Southend Borough Council Preliminary Flood Risk Assessment http://the Environment Agencybarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20140328084622/http://cdn.environment- agency.gov.uk/flho1111bvbv-e-e.pdf
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Figure 25 Anglian RBD showing Catchments, Flood Risk Areas.
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8. Conclusions, objectives and measures to manage risk for the Anglian River Basin District
This plan sets out the type of measures proposed to manage flood risk. In developing the proposed measures the RMAs contributing have: drawn conclusions from the hazard and risk maps and other sources of information: to help us all to understand the risks or opportunities the RMAs are aiming to manage developed risk management objectives (related to people and society, the economy and the environment) that set out the outcomes the RMAs are trying to achieve identified the approach to managing risk: using the following categories: preventing, preparing, protecting, recovering and review These conclusions, objectives and measures are set out for the Anglian river basin district. To provide an overview of measures, this section also summarises the proposed measures for the sub-areas (Catchments, Flood Risk Areas) as set out further Part B The December floods have emphasised the need to be sure we have in place and implement the very best possible plans for flood management across the whole country. In response to these floods the Government has put in place a National Flood Resilience Review and Local Flood Partnerships in Cumbria and Yorkshire. It is working to strengthen or establish partnerships in the areas most affected by the December 2015 floods to encourage a more integrated approach to managing risk across the whole catchment. The outcomes of these initiatives will strengthen partnership working and complement the flood risk measures within the Flood Risk Management Plan to further reduce flood risk and increase resilience Conclusions Rivers and the Sea Of the 6 million people who live within the river basin district, 9% are at risk from flooding from rivers or the sea. This figure can be higher in some catchments, for example in Witham the risk can affect up to one-third of the population which is because of the low-lying nature of much of the land and the towns and villages proximity to the coast. Other catchments in the river basin district carry a much lower risk, such as the Cam and Ely Ouse catchment where only 4% of people are at risk where most settlements are located on higher ground. Key industries for the river basin district include agriculture and tourism. The peaty Figure 26 The Lincshore beach renourishment fenland soils are highly productive, but only tidal defence scheme protects large areas of the exist because these areas were once low- east coast from sea flooding and supports the lying coastal wetlands. 22% of all tourist economy agricultural land in the river basin district is at risk of flooding from rivers and the sea, but in some catchments the area at risk is over 67% (the
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Old Bedford and Middle Level catchment). Within the Fens 57% of agricultural land is deemed to be at risk from river and sea flooding. Important tourist destinations including coastal areas of Lincolnshire, Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex and the Broads in Norfolk are also at risk. Towns in these areas are dependent upon seasonal visitors, but this puts large populations and infrastructure within areas at risk of tidal inundation. As an average across the river basin district, 12% of the total length of primary roads and 22% of the total length of railways are at risk from fluvial or tidal flooding.
Reservoirs In Anglian river basin district there are 315 large raised reservoirs that each hold at least 25,000 cubic meters (m3) of water above natural ground level. The hazard maps show the maximum area that might flood if a reservoir was to fail. Whilst the chance of a reservoir failing and causing flooding is very low, the extent of flooding from a failure could be extensive and many miles from its source. In the Anglian river basin district there are 170,135 people, 671 services (including hospitals, schools etc), 218km of primary roads and 119km of railways, plus 8,193 European designated wildlife sites at risk from flooding from reservoirs. Surface Water There are some locations where there is a risk of surface water flooding, such as the FRA of South Essex, where 18% of the population are at risk from this type of flooding and is recognised as at significant risk of surface water flooding. However, this type of flooding is a risk in most urban areas in the river basin district as the surface water cannot soak into the ground due to the large areas of hard surface (such as concrete and tarmac). An estimated 11% of the population and 22% of roads within the river basin district are at risk from surface water flooding. Groundwater, sewer and canal flooding There are other sources of flooding that affect the river basin district, such as groundwater flooding, sewer flooding and canal Flooding. The Environment Agency does not have national scale modelling and mapping for these sources of flooding, and so it is not possible to draw conclusions about the risks in this FRMP. However, the Environment Agency will continue to work with their partners to understand these sources of flooding and how they affect the river basin district. Coastal erosion Coastal erosion risk management is not a requirement of the FRMP but it is closely linked to managing flood risk from the sea. This FRMP includes information from SMPs 3-8 to allow a complete view of the challenges to the coast and how organisations are working together to manage them. However, no conclusions from coastal erosion have been draw for the FRMP. The SMP information, governance and approach have not been changed. Find out more
SMPs https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/shoreline-management-plans- smps/shoreline-management-plans-smps
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Objectives to manage risk for the Anglian River basin District: Objectives set out what the RMAs want to achieve to manage the risk of flooding and have been developed from existing plans and strategies and public consultation.. Below are the E objectives for the Anglian flood risk management plan. The FRMP also contains additional objectives and measures which can be found in Part C, Annex 2 - Source of objectives and measures for the FRMP. Social Understanding Flood Risk and Working in Partnership - Work in partnership with RMAs and communities, as appropriate, to understand the risk of flooding from all sources of flooding. Partnership working will develop long term plans to manage the risks with direct involvement from the community in the decision making process. Community preparedness and resilience - Reduce the consequences of flooding by enabling communities to take effective action before, during and after a flood. Minimise community disruption - Minimise the impact of flooding to community services such as schools, hospitals, nursing/care/retirement homes, police stations, fire and ambulance stations, sewerage treatment works and electricity installations. Time to adapt to coastal erosion – Ensuring communities and landowners affected by coastal erosion have the information to allow them to make timely decisions about adaptation to coastal erosion and reduce the impact on homes and business. Avoid inappropriate development in areas of flood and coastal erosion – and seek opportunities to reduce existing and future flood risk through new and future development plans. Reduce risk to life, and property - Reduce flood risk to life and existing residential properties. Maintain existing assets minimise the risk of flooding to residential properties - Where justifiable flood risk benefits exist, minimise the risk of flooding to residential properties by maintaining current levels of flood risk management within areas that already benefit from flood defences. Continue river, watercourse and tidal defence maintenance - Continue appropriate and affordable levels of river, watercourse and tidal defence maintenance. Economic Reduce economic damage to non-residential properties - Reduce the economic damage of flooding to non-residential properties. Maintain existing assets minimise the economic damage from flooding to non-residential properties - Where justifiable flood risk benefits exist, minimise the economic damage from flooding to non-residential properties by maintaining current level of flood risk management within areas that already benefit from flood defences. Economic, regeneration and funding opportunities - develop a better understanding of economic evaluation in managing flood risk and seek opportunities to promote economic grow, regeneration and potential partnership funding. Minimise the risk of flooding to transport services - within the catchment such as railway lines, motorways, primary roads and trunk roads. Continue river and watercourse maintenance to minimise the risk of flooding to non- residential properties - Undertake appropriate levels of channel maintenance within the river basin district to minimise the risk of flooding to non-residential properties. Consider flood risk to agricultural Land - Consider the value of agricultural land and the damages that can occur as a result of flooding within the economic appraisal of maintenance and investment options for flood risk management. Understanding Flood Risk and Working in Partnership with landowners - Working in partnership with RMAs and landowners, as appropriate, to understand the risk of flooding 75 of 86
from all sources. Partnership working will develop long term plans to manage the risks where possible or enable landowners to take action to reduce the impacts of flood risk. Ensure that FRM activities do not adversely affect the tourism industry – and where possible enhance the attractiveness of river and coastal environment to visitors. Environmental Contribute to achieving Water Framework Directive (WFD) objectives - by working with natural processes wherever possible, to manage flood risk through protecting and restoring the natural function of the catchment, rivers and flood plains. Minimise the negative impacts of flooding to Designated nature conservation Sites - Minimise the negative impacts of flooding to designated nature conservation sites (SSSI, SPA, SAC, Ramsar sites and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty) throughout the Anglian river basin district, wherever possible contributing to the improvement of such sites. Minimise the negative impacts of flooding to designated heritage sites - Minimise the negative impacts of flooding to heritage assets and landscape value (SAMs, listed buildings and historic parks and gardens), wherever possible enhancing such assets. Reservoirs Reduce the risk of flooding from reservoirs to people, property, infrastructure and the environment.
Measures across the Anglian River Basin District Many measures are specific to a catchment or smaller area such as communities. However, there are some important measures which apply across the entire Anglian river basin district. Below is a summary but the full table of river basin district measures is included in Part B. Measures in FRMPs do not all have secured funding and are not guaranteed to be implemented. Money is allocated to all RMA measures in the same way and is based on current Government policy that gives the highest priority to lives and homes. Measures included, are over and above RMA ‘flood risk management activities’ undertaken routinely, as explained in Section 4 – How to Manage Risk . Measures cover discrete pieces of work such as projects and campaigns. Preventing risk: National planning policy RMAs will work with the relevant planning authorities at both the strategic and planning application stages to steer development to areas at the lowest risk of flooding. Where possible the Environment Agency will seek to re-establish and enhance natural river corridors through new development, in line with the Water Framework Directive. The Environment Agency shall look for policies included in planning documents for development in areas at risk of flooding to be resilient to flood risk. Through the Environment Agency’s consultation role on planning applications they will continue to ensure the location and layout of development does not increase flood risk, and where possible reduces flood risk. Eel and fish passage The Environment Agency will work with operators to help them achieve compliance with eel passage and screening requirements through their scheduled programmes of work, including routine maintenance and refurbishment programmes and planned capital investment programmes. Modelling and hydrology RMAs will carry out a prioritised programme of mapping and modelling to ensure that flood risk information remains up to date and fit for purpose. This will support the development of the capital programme for new assets, refurbishment work to existing assets, flood forecasting and flood incident management work, planning advice to local authorities and general advice to the public. 76 of 86
Asset maintenance RMAs carry out maintenance work in line with government policy to provide the greatest benefits to people and property at risk of flooding within the available funding. Maintenance work to maintain channels, assets and structures is carried out under the Environment Agency’s permissive powers to ensure that assets are fit for purpose. A risk- based approach to assess the need and justification for works and investment is directed towards those activities that will contribute most to reducing flood risk to people and property and providing the value for money. The Environment Agency annual maintenance programme includes a range of activities that are prioritised and timetabled using information from asset inspections, maintenance standards, characteristics of the assets and levels of flood risk and from legal and statutory obligations.
Preparing for risk: Deliver flood warning service The Environment Agency will continue to work closely with the Met Office to provide timely and accurate forecasts and warnings of flooding from rivers and the sea to communities at risk. Work with local resilience forums RMAs will continue to provide advice and information to local resilience forums to enable them to prepare for, and reduce the impact of, flooding. Support community resilience RMAs will continue to provide advice and information to local communities to enable them to prepare for, and reduce the impact of, flooding. The Environment Agency will also engage with communities to improve awareness of riparian owner responsibilities where the Environment Agency may require individuals to take local actions to reduce flood risk. Hydrometry and telemetry As part of a prioritised programme, RMAs will continue to improve the hydrometry and telemetry assets, which may include creating new assets, or increasing the life or performance of existing ones. This work will support flood forecasting, warning and response activities. Flood forecasting and incident management The Environment Agency will continue to improve flood forecasting and flood incident management services, focusing on areas for improvement as highlighted by recent flooding events and routine exercises. On-going development of the FRMP The Environment Agency will continue to work with partners and collect and assess data to further improve their understanding of flood risk to local communities from all sources of flooding. The Environment Agency will utilise this understanding to improve a joint approach to managing flood risk and inform the on-going development of the flood risk management plan into the future. Reservoirs All Environment Agency ‘high risk’ reservoirs have on-site reservoir plans in place.
Protecting from risk: Investigate flood risk reduction measures Where there is a high flood risk to a community, RMAs will investigate what flood reduction measures are possible and explore partnership funding, to ensure the preferred option can go forward.
Reservoirs
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All ‘high-risk’ reservoirs are regulated in accordance with the Reservoirs Act 1975 – this is already monitored through business measures.
Recovery and review of risk: Learn from flood events The Environment Agency will continue to improve and develop their services based on lessons identified following flooding, including feedback from communities and partners Wider Anglian River Basin District issues Siltation and excessive nutrients within watercourses Rural land management practices within the catchment can contribute to high phosphate levels and increased sediment loads, either directly or via roadways. Work is needed to reduce run-off, and soil, nutrient and pesticide loss, along with reduction of nutrients in watercourses from public and private waste water. Climate change and water resources pressure The increasing of development has the potential to put further pressure on river flows and water supplies. In addition to reduced flows drier summers make concentrate pollution in rivers. This can lead to an excessive growth of vegetation and algae. Again this reduces the ability of the lowland water courses to efficiently pass flood flows, and requires expensive vegetation management. Physical modifications The legacy of drainage works on large stretches of rivers and dykes has created a poor habitat in some areas. Obstructions from weirs and flood defence works prevent some species of fish and eels from spawning and migrating. Much of the lowland watercourses are disconnected from their flood plains, due to embankments. Invasive non-native Species The impact species originating from outside the UK have on native plants and animals. For example, signal crayfish increase the amount of fine sediment in rivers, the prolific growth of himalayan balsam and japanese knott weed can restrict flows and increase flood risk. Flood Risk Management Plan contributing to broader benefits The strategic aims, objectives and principles of the National Strategy for Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management are outlined in section 4. The overall aim of the strategy is ‘to ensure the risk of flooding and coastal erosion is properly managed by using the full range of options in a co-ordinated way’. The strategy promotes the development of broader benefits to communities related to flood risk management through a range of guiding principles i.e. Community focus and partnership working A catchment and coastal cell based approach Sustainability Proportionate, risk based approaches Multiple benefits Beneficiaries should be encouraged to invest in risk management The specific guiding principles for sustainability and multiple benefits cover how: RMAs should manage risks in ways that take account of all impacts Flood risk management solutions should be adaptable to climate change Flood risk management solutions should enhance the environment The ability of communities to shape risk management actions to take account of local priorities
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Flood and coastal risk management (FCRM) can bring significant economic, environmental and social benefits (‘It can enhance and protect the built, rural and natural environments, cultural heritage and biodiversity’) FCRM should avoid damaging the environment, including the historic environment FCRM should wherever possible work with natural processes FCRM should always seek to provide environmental benefit as required by the Habitats, Birds and Water Framework Directives In taking forward the National Strategy for Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management, FRMPs have set out a range of social, economic and environmental objectives that include wider benefits alongside the delivery of flood risk management outcomes – see the following sections. These have been informed by considering how the FRMP relates to other plans and wider policies and objectives. In particular, how the FRMP links to the RBMPs to contribute to a more integrated approach to water management planning, and also to the priorities of Natura 2000 sites that are the subject of recent Site Improvement Plans. The following sections provide more details of this. Links with the Anglian River Basin Management Plan The main aims of the EU Water Framework Directive are to return rivers and the water environment to a state, as free from human influence as possible. Aspects of this include reversing some of the ways in which water bodies have been physically modified in the past, improving water quality and biodiversity and improving the quality of bathing waters. To achieve this, work by water companies, farmers and business is regulated by the Environment Agency and complemented by a programme of works by the Environment Agency and others to remove some structures from rivers. The Anglian FRMP promotes a range of benefits that will contribute to the RBMP through re- naturalisation, water quality improvements, bathing water improvements and natural flood management. The following table summarises the WFD outcomes expected to be delivered through flood risk management programmes by the end of the cycle 2 of the RBMP by 2021:
Table 9 RBMP outcomes related to flood risk management programmes by 2021 (from RBMP2 project list)
Type of FCERM programme actions No of Hectares of Hectares of Kilometres of actions water intertidal rivers dependent habitat protected habitat created to under EU created or help meet the Habitats/Birds improved to objectives of Directive help meet the WFD for improved to objectives of protected help meet the WFD areas objectives of WFD FCERM actions in Site Improvement 10 1072 0 40 Plans of water dependent sites designated under the EU Habitats and Birds Directives that will deliver a WFD outcome. FCERM actions addressing remedies 2 39 0 0 and threats to water dependent sites designated under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (SSSIs) that will deliver a WFD outcome.
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Type of FCERM programme actions No of Hectares of Hectares of Kilometres of actions water intertidal rivers dependent habitat protected habitat created to under EU created or help meet the Habitats/Birds improved to objectives of Directive help meet the WFD for improved to objectives of protected help meet the WFD areas objectives of WFD FCERM actions addressing 9 23 237 0 requirements for consent of flood works such as planning, EIA, HRA etc. FCERM actions (over and beyond 2 85 0 0 other measures) to ensure compliance with the RBMP. FCERM actions that deliver WFD 1 173 0 0 outcomes from works that contribute to the England Biodiversity Strategy. FCERM actions that deliver WFD 5 No of eel barrier easements or removal = 5 outcomes from works that contribute to the Eel Regulations. Total 29 1391 237 40
Anglian opportunities for linked work Guided by the Water Framework Directive the Environment Agency is looking at where previous physical modifications to waterbodies can be reversed, such as opening up culverts and removing weirs, river channel walls and flood defences that are no longer required. Across the river basin district, there are several projects that have been successful in delivering both flood risk benefits and improvements to the wider environment. Examples are given in Part B – Catchment Summaries. The flood risk management investment programme is expected to provide additional environmental outcomes for 2021, such as habitat improvement or creation through capital maintenance and flood defence expenditure. These were not linked to specific improvements in element status because there is insufficient confidence about the scale of improvement. Examples of these measures in the river basin district are: Fingringhoe Wick is in the ownership of the Essex Wildlife Trust and is currently arable land. The Environment Agency has worked with them to design a new intertidal habitat that will form 22ha of saltmarsh and mudflats when the site is joined to the tidal river Colne in September 2015. These habitats are eroding and are in decline. Around 80% of the coastal marshes have been lost and those remaining are disappearing, so this type of habitat creation is welcomed for nature conservation. Saltmarsh habitat helps absorb wave energy that then reduces maintenance cost of the tidal defence, it also has international conservation designation, so this recreation will help improve the health of the biodiversity of the estuary and provide habitat to protected species. The river Wensum is a chalk river of great value for its angling and wildlife, as well as being an important landscape feature of rural Norfolk. This is recognised nationally and internationally through designation (SSSI and SAC). The River Wensum Restoration Strategy is a partnership project providing a ‘whole river’ view of the actions required to restore the natural shape and characteristics of the river to support the wildlife and fisheries. So Far 15km of protected river has been improved, delivering objectives of the Water Framework Directive. This has been delivered through a number of projects and initiatives which include stripping of phosphate at sewage treatment works; reducing the impacts of abstraction, managing agricultural run-off, restoration natural feature such as 80 of 86
gravel scrapes, wetland habitat creation and Rural Sustainable Drainage. A further 20km of the river will be restored by the Environment Agency and the Norfolk Rivers Internal Drainage Board by 2021. The Great Fen Project, initiated in 2001, is one of the largest restoration projects in Europe, and will take place over the next 50 years. The project is a partnership project involving the Environment Agency, Huntingdonshire District Council, the Middle Level Commissioners, Natural England and the Wildlife Trust. As well as providing a haven for fen wildlife, the Great Fen will create a massive green space for people, opening new opportunities for recreation, education and business. It will incorporate areas where winter flood waters can be stored and will prevent the release of huge amounts of carbon dioxide each year. The wild fens with their abundant wildlife once stretched for hundreds of miles across eastern England. Historically the land was drained for farming and more than 99% of this habitat with many rare species of plants and animals disappeared. Two of the last fragments of wild fen, Woodwalton Fen and Holme Fen, became National Nature Reserves (NNRs), but they are too small and isolated to effectively support the special wildlife of the original fens. The project will create an enveloping landscape of 3,700 hectares around the existing NNRs. Through the purchase and restoration of farmland, these NNRs will be joined together and greatly enlarged, recreating a range of wetland features with unprecedented conservation benefits for wildlife. The measures can also help us deliver broader benefits, in particular to biodiversity, water and ecological quality. In parallel to flood risk management planning, the Environment Agency works with others to improve the quality of the water environment through River Basin Management Planning. The Environment Agency aims to co-ordinate effectively between the FRMP and RBMP so that all organisations can do more for the environment. Other Plans and Partnerships Table 9 sets out the key themes from a review of the main other plans and strategies that the Anglian FRMP would be expected to influence. The purpose of the review is to take account of the objectives of these key documents in the assessment with a view to aligning and ensuring compliance of the plan with other policies and legislation. The plan review can also help to identify where other planning processes and organisations may be able to work with the flood risk management planning process. It is taken from the Environmental Report for the Anglian FRMP. Table 10 Key influences from the plans review (from SEA Report)
Category of Common themes relevant to the FRMP Key plans plan /strategy Water and Protection, improvement, sustainable The national flood and coastal flood risk management and use of the water erosion risk management strategy management environment in terms of quantity and quality for England – for the benefit of the human and natural Water for people and the environment. environment: Water resources Flood risk management measures could strategy for England and Wales place pressure on water bodies and any Water white paper: Water for life measure to be implemented would have to Catchment Flood Risk Management be WFD compliant. Plans An update to the Anglian RBMP is being Shoreline Management Plans prepared in parallel to the FRMP. The Surface Water Management Plans strategic environmental assessment for the Water for life and livelihoods - RBMP FRMP will include a check on the alignment Anglian RBD with the RBMP.
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Category of Common themes relevant to the FRMP Key plans plan /strategy Biodiversity Protection and enhancement of important Natural environment white paper: habitats and species, both from a statutory The natural choice: Securing the basis (International and National value of nature conservation designations and protected Biodiversity 2020: A strategy for species) and through policy. England’s Wildlife and Ecosystem Promotion of coherent ecological networks. Services Promotion of working with natural processes Coastal squeeze: Implications for and sustainable development/management. flood management. The Tackling the issue of non native invasive requirements of The European Birds species and Habitats Directives. Defra policy Flood risk management measures could guidance. place pressure on habitats and species, and The invasive and non-native species work against natural processes. framework strategy for Great Britain Investing in the East of England's natural assets, state value and vision Landscape Protection of existing sensitive landscapes All Landscapes Matter (such as National Parks and AONBs) AONB Management Plans Promotion of actions to improve water (Lincolnshire Wolds, Norfolk Coast, quality and water quantity, protect and Suffolk Coast and Heath, Chilterns enhance habitats, and restore the wider and Dedham Vale) landscape character The Broads National Park Flood risk management measures could Management Plan place pressure on sensitive landscapes, and lead to changes in water quality, quantity and change in habitat type. Climate Long term aims for reduction of carbon Managing the Environment in a dioxide emissions including reference to Changing Climate binding targets, and wide-reaching policies The national flood and coastal across all sectors to deliver reductions. erosion risk management strategy Requirements to adapt to climate change for England and associated threats, the need for increased resilience to climate change. Likely increase in flooding and coastal erosion due to climate change. Marine and Sustainable economic growth within the UK Marine Policy Statement Coastal marine environment that balances benefits Marine Plan for East Inshore and to society with the needs of local East Offshore communities and protecting nature conservation. Coastal flood risk management measures can enable growth Coastal flood risk management measures would need to be in alignment with planning policies. Cultural Sustainable development in relation to The Government’s Statement on the heritage historic assets through conservation and Historic Environment for England enhancement. 2010 The historic environment could be affected Heritage at Risk 2013: East of by flood risk management measures for England example through the construction of new flood risk management schemes, implementation of fish/eel passage on flood risk management assets, etc and as such any such measures would need to be appropriately assessed. Resource Promotion of sustainable waste and LLFA Minerals and Waste Plans management resource management and the protection and enhancement of the environment.
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Category of Common themes relevant to the FRMP Key plans plan /strategy Planning Promotion of sustainable growth National Planning Policy Framework Flood risk management measures can Broads Plan enable growth LLFA Core Strategies Flood risk management measures would need to be in alignment with planning policies. Development activities could place pressure on the water bodies and would need to be appropriately assessed and managed to ensure no detrimental effect to the water environment. Forestry Protection, management and enhancement Government Forestry and of woods and forests to provide economic, Woodlands Policy social and environmental benefits for example managing flood risk in a sustainable way, and helping to reduce water pollution
Links to Anglian river basin district Designated Site Plans The FRMP aims to contribute to the specific plans of designated conservation sites and these are set out as proposed actions in specific plans and related to FCERM and the relevant RMAs. These include actions in the Anglian river basin district Site Improvement Plans for the following European designated sites: Table 11 List of Anglian Natura 2000 sites with Site Improvement Plans (SIPs)
Anglian RBD Natura 2000 sites with Site Improvement Plans
Abberton Reservoir
Alde-Ore Estuaries
Baston Fen
Benacre to Easton Bavents
Breckland
Breydon Water
Broadland
Deben Estuary
Dew's Ponds
Essex Estuaries
Fenland
Great Yarmouth Winterton Horsey
Greater Thames Complex
Hamford Water
Minsmere to Walberswick Heaths and Marshes
Nene Washes
Norfolk Valley Fens
Orton Pit
Ouse Washes
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Anglian RBD Natura 2000 sites with Site Improvement Plans
Overstrand Cliffs
Portholme
River Wensum
Roydon Common and Dersingham Bog
Rutland Water
Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes and Gibraltar Point
Stour and Orwell Estuaries
The Wash and North Norfolk Coast
Upper Nene Valley Gravel Pits
Waveney and Little Ouse Valley Fens
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9. Implementing the plan
Flood risk management plans (FRMPs) are produced every 6 years and describe the sources, risks and measures to manage flooding within a river basin and catchment. Implementing the measures in the FRMP will be carried out by risk management authorities (RMAs) working with partners and communities. RMAs are invited to submit details of proposed flood and coastal erosion risk management work to the Environment Agency who administer funds on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). These proposals are combined with Environment Agency proposed schemes and local regional flood and coastal committee (RFCC) funded projects to form a programme of work. Funding is allocated in line with government policy and priorities. Not all of the measures identified will be implemented over the 6 year lifetime of this plan. Some measures require further work such as technical feasibility assessment, consultation with land and property owners, as well as assessing impacts on other river functions. Some measures may be disproportionately costly or unable to raise the necessary partnership funding to enable them to go ahead at this time. All of these issues are considered by the RFCCs, which are set up by Defra to scrutinise and approve the flood risk plans proposed by the Environment Agency (EA) and lead local flood authorities (LLFAs). There may be additional measures implemented alongside those in this plan on a national and local basis as a result of the National Flood Resilience Review and the work by the Local Flood Partnerships in Cumbria and Yorkshire.
The Catchment based approach The catchment based approach encourages local engagement and participation in decision- making. As the plan is finalised and implemented, the Environment Agency will seek to engage further with relevant catchment partnerships in order to deliver flood risk management outcomes and broader benefits. Monitoring delivery of measures During the planning and implementation cycle RMAs will monitor progress in delivering the measures set out in the FRMP. Progress will be reported annually to the relevant Regional Flood and Coastal Committees and the FRMP will be reviewed every 6 years, as required by the Flood Risk Regulations.
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LIT 10195
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