Category Sustainable Recovery Pilot project   Show all

• Sustainable Recovery Pilot project

  It is recognised it will take time to agree on and put in place a more long-term and resilient approach to managing flood risk in the project area. In the meantime, it’s important we’re ready for any flooding that might happen.

  Last year, we started work on the Sustainable Recovery Pilot Contingency Plan, a short-term approach while we work on the bigger picture. Partners came together to share their plans, procedures and information on how they operate assets like pumps and penstocks.

  We used this local knowledge to work out which actions work best, which ones to avoid, and where we need to think carefully. The aim is to make sure we’re all working together in the most effective way to support the community if flooding happens.

  Recently teams from the Environment Agency and Witham Third District Internal Drainage Board have been trialling this plan ahead of the winter, running through a simulation as well as getting out on site to visit and learn about key locations.

  The Sustainable Recovery Pilot project is a Fens 2100+ pilot project. Fens 2100+ is developing a Fens-wide approach to managing flood risk in a way that balances the needs of people, the environment and agriculture, both now and in the future.

  Witham Third District Internal Drainage Board and Environment Agency staff at New Cut Drain penstock.

  
  

  
  

• Sustainable Recovery Pilot project

  Throughout May the project team have been continuing face-to-face farm and landowner meetings within the project area with contractors, Arup. These meetings have helped to deepen the team's understanding of past flooding impacts, people's aspirations for the area, and how some of the proposed measures could work within the landscape.

  After gaining first hand insights into the area, Arup have been assessing the short list of potential measures against specific criteria. Their analysis aims to help us understand which measures may be technically viable, determine how well these could work together to form a master plan for the area, and if they contribute towards achieving the project's goals.

  We have recently sent a draft of this report to our project partners to gain their feedback. Next, we will share this information with our Stakeholder Steering Group, which includes farmers and landowners for further discussion.

  Channel desilting work has taken place on the Lower Barlings Eau, between Short Ferry Bridge and the pumping station inlet. This is to allow water pumped from the River Trent and into the River Witham to move up the channel to the Short Ferry Pumping Station. From there it is pumped via a pipe into the River Ancholme to alleviate low water levels.

  The Sustainable Recovery Pilot project is a Fens 2100+ pilot project. Fens 2100+ is developing a Fens-wide approach to managing flood risk in a way that balances the needs of people, the environment and agriculture, both now and in the future.

  
  

  Channel desilting work on the Lower Barlings Eau.