The Maxey Cut banks refurbishment

You are invited to a drop in session at Glinton Village Hall on Wednesday 22nd April between 1.30 and 3.30pm.

This drop in session is your chance to learn more about the Maxey Cut banks refurbishment project and ask the project team any questions that you may have.

Everyone is welcome - we look forward to seeing you!

Location and access details are as follows:

Address: Glinton Village Hall, High St, Glinton, Peterborough PE6 7JP

Parking: There is no on site parking available, however, on road parking is available near Glinton Church and is a 2 minute walk from the Village Hall.

Public transport: Glinton is serviced by many local bus routes. Glinton Crossroad Bus Stop is a 2 minute walk from the Village Hall. Please find directions here.

Project timeline

The construction schedule has shifted: work is now planned for Spring 2027 to Autumn 2028, depending on funding. Planned works include vegetation clearance, fixing low spots, and re‑profiling around 4.3 km of embankment across Maxey, Glinton, and Newborough parishes.

Work completed so far

Survey data from geophysical, LiDAR, archaeological, and ecological studies has been used to finalise the Outline Design for the preferred option.

What’s next

• Preparing an Outline Business Case to secure funding.
• Additional ecological surveys, including wintering bird studies.
• Ongoing engagement with landowners and tenants.

Impact on local residents

Surveyors may be visible along embankments and nearby fields Monday to Friday, 08:00–18:00.

Project timeline

Construction is planned between Winter 2026 and Summer 2028, subject to funding and approval.

Preparation works, scoping the locations where works are to take place, and design, have already begun. The project will likely include vegetation removal, topping up low spots on embankments, access improvements to carry out routine maintenance, and restoring banks that have eroded in channel.

Work completed so far

A LiDAR topographical, and ecological survey have been completed to help us understand the work needed.

A LiDAR survey (Light Detection and Ranging) collects highly accurate, three-dimensional data of the Earth's surface. The data collected supports project development by identifying 'low spots' and other features of the banks and enabling our project team to identify priority areas for the project works.

Geophysical surveys have been carried out to inform our understanding of local archaeology. Ecological surveys are ongoing to help us understand what species are present and what we can do to protect and improve their populations. To date, bat and owl surveys have been completed.

What's next

• Our project team will be working on developing the outline design incorporating elements to maintain the standard of service by stabilising banks and to improve maintenance by widening the banks and adding access routes where feasible.
• Analysis of the LiDAR results will allow the project team to provide design solutions and forecast costs to bring the banks back to the previous standard of service.
• Ecology field work including water vole, otter, newt, and breeding bird surveys.

Impact on local residents

Surveyors may be visible along embankments and nearby fields Monday to Friday, 08:00–18:00.

A risk‑based method was used to identify embankment sections needing stability improvements. This approach highlighted areas with higher failure risk or significant consequences if a breach occurred. In total, 4.3 km of embankments were recommended for intervention.

These surveys have been carried out to inform the project plans and develop the Outline Design.

Figure 1: An aerial view of river embankment with ground survey underway.

The assessment used the 2017 ground investigation findings and compared current crest levels with the 2016 flood model data. It found sections of embankments to be unstable or only marginally stable, and recommended stability improvement works in these areas.

The investigation included drilling 42 boreholes along the crest of the embankments at 200‑metre intervals on alternative banks. Nineteen standpipes were also installed to monitor groundwater levels.

Soil and material samples from the drilling were tested in a laboratory.

Seepage analysis was also carried out to understand how changing groundwater levels during different flood scenarios could affect the stability of the embankments and to identify where water might seep through.