Barford Flood Alleviation Scheme

2008-2010

Description of different flooding problems experienced in Barford, prior to the Barford Flood Amelioration Plan, which has improved some of them.

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Barford Surface Water Drainage Investigation17/09/2008 here

Planning consent here (2010/1791)

 

 

1. Surface Water, Highways: In heavy or persistent rain, water ran about half a mile from west of Barford Church and swept down Church Lane, down Chapel Street (flooding three properties) before it rushing down Park Avenue and causing flooding. The gullies along the way were of little use:

   1. Some were offset from the flow of surface water

   2. Some were already clogged and led to poorly/non-maintained ditches

   3. The rest got clogged by the end of the storm with the straw, leaves and debris swept along.

2. Surface Water, Agricultural: It was clear from the amount of straw that was swept down into the lowest parts of the village that much of the water originated from higher agricultural land

3. Surface Water, watercourse/ditch maintenance: Not all owners were keeping surface watercourses/ditches cleared. Some may have not always appreciated the necessity to maintain their ditches (nor their legal duty). Only one route for surface water was kept clear to the River Tiffey

4. Flood plain (high water table) Parts of Eastleigh Gardens are at the same height as the river. Some gardens in Park Avenue are as low but have not been built on. This, the lowest part of the village, is where all the surface water ditches converge.

5. River If the rivers are sufficiently high, (because of: heavy rainfall, heavy rainfall on newly developed/impermeable surfaces upstream on the River Tiffey, high antecedent rainfall and waterlogging, sluice gates at Marlingford shut). The river will flood into the the lowest ditches in Barford flood, which then flood the lowest gardens and properties.

6. Sewage Flooding: It seemed that with each new building of houses an existing resident got sewage overflow into their property. The pumping station (Style Loke) was said to be inadequate forty years ago. The plot that is now no3 Eastleigh Gardens had always acted as a “pressure valve” with sewage escaping from a broken manhole because of the convergence of foul water sewers in that location.

7. Surface water in foul sewer: It was claimed that some residents of Barford put their surface water into the Anglian water foul drains.

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The Original Plans, 2010 ( and see also: Barford Surface Water Drainage Investigation17/09/2008 here)

Words from a document sent by South Norfolk District Council in about 2010 (their ref: R302642.5.PC-1) Accompanying plans (carried out with modifications ... click on a plan to download as a pdf)

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Notification of Scheme in 2010

 

Barford Drainage Consultation

 

I am please to advise that we have been successful in our bid for funding from Defra and have been awarded £100,000.00 towards a number of drainage improvements identified within the village. This funding is in addition to funding pledged by Norfolk County Council and Anglian Water.

 

At a recent stakeholder meeting we have agreed various schemes that will be progressed by the Partnership. The schemes identified are as follows;

 

Private surface water drain from Eastleigh Gardens to the River

 

It is proposed to carry out improvements to this drain to include realignment of the outfall to the River Tiffey, piping the section of open ditch within No 8 Style Loke including inspection chamber and trash screen, construction of low level weir to allow for the diversion of low level flows from the watercourse through No 3 Eastleigh Gardens into this system, realignment of the pipe outfalling from the inspection chamber in the rear of No 3 Eastleigh Gardens, and amendment of associated legal agreements to allow the adoption of this section from No 3 Easteligh Gardens to the River by Anglian Water Services. Anglian Water Services will progress this scheme.

 

Culvert under the Highway – Access road to Eastleigh Gardens

 

It is proposed to reconstruct the culvert under the access road to provide a box-style culvert. This will allow the invert level to be raised but at the same time retain the capacity through this culvert. I understand there may be some issues with services to be considered. Some works to redirect the existing highway drainage in this vicinity will be part of this scheme.

Norfolk County Council will progress this scheme.

 

Culvert through No 17 & 18 Park Avenue and No 18 Chapel Street

 

It is proposed that the existing culvert running inside the front boundary of No 17 & 18 Park Avenue and the side boundary of No 18 Chapel Street be replaced with a 450mm dia pipe. Norfolk County Council will improve the highway drainage in this vicinity by means of increased gullies.

South Norfolk & Norfolk County Council to progress this scheme.

 

Highway Drainage – Chapel Street

 

New gullies to be constructed in low points in the vicinity of No 14 & 16 Chapel Street. Possible bank stabilisation work to protect western bank of watercourse between No 16 & 18 Chapel Street.

New gullies and alterations to the kerb and footway opposite the Village Hall.

Norfolk County Council to progress this scheme.

 

Routing of flood flows and drainage in the vicinity of Church Lane/Cock Street/Chapel Street junction

 

It is proposed that a new ditch be constructed inside the Chapel Street boundary of the land currently occupied by willow trees to connect to the existing pond. The pond is to be enhanced to increase capacity and act as a balancing lagoon. An overflow ditch will be created with a restricted discharge to the existing ditch network between the boundary of Ivy Cottage and the meadow. Channel improvements downstream will be considered where necessary.

We are currently working on flow rates to ensure that nearby properties and those downstream will not be at any increased risk as a result of this proposal.

South Norfolk & Norfolk County Council to progress this scheme.

 

Church Lane

 

Whilst it is unlikely that a scheme to improve the highway drainage beyond that already existing in Church Lane will go ahead in the next financial year, provision will be made to ensure that sufficient capacity is accommodated in the above proposals to allow a further phase of works to progress at a later date should this be necessary.

 

Village Hall Playing Field

 

It is proposed that a low level bund be constructed along the boundary bordering properties on Chapel Street to restrict overland flows and allow attenuated dispersal through natural drainage or into the drainage system at The Hay Barn.

South Norfolk Council to progress this scheme.

 

What Happens Next

 

We are working with our Partners to progress these schemes to try to reduce the risk of further flooding and the effects this has on the foul sewer network. However, much of this work is dependant on the cooperation of the various land and property owners. The areas of work have been divided into workable schemes to allow us to progress as an when the scheme allows. Some schemes will be dependant on the progress and time scale of others.

 

We will be contacting those directly affected as part of the consultation process and to gain consent where necessary. Without the support of all those involved it may not be possible to progress proposals. Whilst we will endeavour to progress the schemes identified we are unable to give assurances at this stage that these schemes will be fulfilled to a satisfactory conclusion. Some support has been given in principle but in some cases this support is subject to conditions being met, which may not be achievable. Some proposals are also subject to Land Drainage Consent and Planning Consent being approved.

 

The funds granted by Defra are subject to the works being completed within the financial year 2010/11. If this is not achievable any under spend must be returned. I cannot emphasis enough how important this funding is to enable sufficient works to be achieved to make a real difference to the drainage of Barford. All the processes we need to go through to enable various consents for works can be very time consuming and in some cases it is not possible to progress to the next stage without securing those consents first. I would urge all those directly affected by any proposed works to give any consultation careful consideration and help support these schemes that will provide benefits for the whole community.

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