The Environment Agency is holding a public consultation this week in Chipping Sodbury to explain how it plans to reduce flood risk to local homes and businesses in a scheme costing around £4 million.
The last major floods in Yate and Chipping Sodbury occurred in 1968. The Environment Agency estimates up to 100 homes and 40 businesses could be at risk of flooding from the River Frome and its tributaries with a 1% chance of serious flooding each year. The risk is expected to increase as a result of higher river flows and climate change.
Flood warnings are issued to low-lying properties in both communities the flooding occurs because the River Frome has insufficient capacity. Improvements have been made over the years alongside new developments in the river corridor which have not kept pace with the growing flood risk. Surface water run-off from heavy rain has added to the flooding problem.
The Environment Agency has carried out a preliminary study that identifies 3 options: flood storage, river channel widening and property flood-proofing. As well as exploring each option separately, a combination of all 3 is also under consideration. This final, most expensive, combined option would increase the cost of the scheme to approximately £4 million. The cost of the individual options are £3.7 million, £300,000 and £100,000 respectively.
An earlier £10 million option that involved the construction of 1.8km of flood walls was rejected on the grounds of being too expensive - it also raised sustainability concerns.
For a successful scheme to go ahead, any benefits must outweigh the costs. In addition to reducing flood risk to a significant number of homes and businesses, the Agency said the final scheme should reduce flooding on 3 local roads (A432, B4569 and B4060) and prevent flood damages estimated at £10 million.
Flood storage schemes are an effective way of providing flood alleviation. The Environment Agency has built several in recent years. Examples include Tubbs Bottom, that reduces flood risk downstream of Yate and Bruton in Somerset. Schemes are also being considered for Taunton and Wrington near Bristol.
The Yate and Chipping Sodbury scheme is still in its early stages. The Environment Agency must carry out a more detailed study before selecting a preferred option. It is hoped a scheme could be in place by 2021, but that will depend on the Environment Agency securing the necessary funding from the Government and other sources.
Waterbriefing is media partner with the Environment Agency’s major three-day conference and exhibition Flood and Coast 2017 which takes place from 28th to 30th March 2017 in Telford. Click here for more information
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