Why is a flood risk management scheme needed?
- To reduce flood risk and
- Make Improvements to the watercourse and parks to benefit nature and the community amenity
The flood risk from The Bourn
There have been multiple flood events in recent years that have had a devastating impact on communities throughout Birmingham, including Bournville and Stirchley. During the 2008, 2012, 2016 and 2018 floods many homes and business suffered internal flooding and transport links were disrupted.
In this area there is the risk of both river flooding and surface water flooding (for example when road drains are overwhelmed). We are working with partners to holistically look at all sources of flood risk as part of the wider strategy. The Environment Agency is responsible for river flooding which is the main objective of this project. Other sources of flooding such as surface water and sewer flooding are the responsibility of Birmingham City Council and Severn Trent Water.
2016 Flooding on Pershore Road, StirchleyOur latest flood risk model shows there are currently 140 homes and businesses at risk of flooding from the Bourn in the Bournville and Stirchley areas, and this rises to 200 properties with the increased risk from climate change.
The two animated map videos below show the The Bourn as it breaks out of bank in a severe ‘once in a lifetime’ storm (1% Annual Exceedance Probability) and the potential areas affected. We are exploring ways to reduce the flood risk from such an extreme event and of course all other less severe storms.
Please Note: Some properties will be identified by our updated river modelling as being in an area at risk of flooding to a certain flood depth. However, this does not necessarily mean that floodwaters will enter the property in a flooding event.
The map below shows the location and number of properties at flood risk incorporating climate change predictions, in an extreme event.
Flooding in The Bourn catchment is not just limited to river flooding (fluvial) and can often be from multiple sources. Surface water (pluvial) and sewer flooding can also occur, particularly in heavily urbanised areas, when so much rain falls in a short space of time and the local drainage cannot move it away fast enough. We are working with partners and the community to better understand these risks and potential solutions. The roles and responsibilities of the relevant organisations are detailed in the document: Your watercourse: rights and roles, see the link below:
https://engageenvironmentagency.uk.engagementhq.com/27275/widgets/77300/documents/65543
The Project Objectives
Our objectives are to reduce flood risk from The Bourn and deliver environmental enhancement, support sustainable solutions and protect and enhance the cultural heritage of the area for future generations.
We are attempting to find a Win-Win scenario: