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RDC News Make a point of visiting us weekly!        Tell a friend about us. Local  Rochford District         News Bulletin  Page Rochford District Council,  South Street,  Rochford. 01702  546366        http://www.rochford.gov.uk/

31/10/14

More than 30 areas undergoing works to combat flooding


More than 30 areas across the Rochford District are undergoing maintenance work to combat flooding issues. This work is being driven by the Forum for Surface Water Flooding Issues which was set up to find practical solutions for local residents.


Although Rochford District Council is not responsible for flooding issues, it created the Forum in order to bring together organisations including Essex Highways, Anglian Water, the Environment Agency and the Essex County Council Flood Management Team.


The aim of the group is to find out who is responsible for various watercourses, ditches and drains, and then try to ensure that those responsibilities are complied with.  Prior to each meeting, Rochford District Council’s principle engineer visited various sites where flooding has occurred to try to identify the source of the problem and speak with some of the affected residents, before passing his findings on to the relevant agency to resolve.  These have then been discussed at the Forum meetings, where residents have also had the opportunity to raise concerns about problem areas.


At the last meeting, more than 30 locations were discussed in relation to maintenance works, tracking down of responsible landowners, high pressure jetting and camera surveys of drains and sewers, and installing screens to ditches.  Rochford District Council also voted to fund the digging of a new ditch to the rear of Blower Close, Rayleigh, in an effort to protect residents’ homes from flooding.

Although this is not the responsibility of the District Council, the decision was taken in order to expedite matters as so many residents and landowners were potentially affected.


Rochford District Council’s Leader, and Chairman of the Forum, Councillor Terry Cutmore, said: “This Forum has really been proving its worth when it comes to solving local flooding issues. It was set up because often residents really didn’t know where to go when they had a problem – there are so many agencies and landowners involved. Now there is a regular meeting to ensure all agencies are working together to find out who is responsible for each area and to get to the root of these problems. “I’m sure that the recent heavy rainfall would have had a far greater impact on the sites previously affected had this Forum not been put in place and various works commissioned. I think the officers and members involved have done a sterling piece of work for our residents.”


The following is a list of areas discussed at the latest meeting which are undergoing/set to undergo works:


Shakespeare Avenue, Rayleigh

Anglian Water had undertaken pressure water jetting and a CCTV survey, which established that the pipework is sound. This is on the agenda for annual jetting.

 

Wimhurst Close/Cornhill Avenue, Hockley

Hockley Parish Council is clearing the ditch across the Maryland Open Space. Discussions are taking place with a property owner in Plumberow Avenue about extending pipework from their garden into Maryland Open Space to enable Anglian Water to clear the screen at the entrance to the pipework there. This will then be added to the regime for clearance. Essex County Council Highways will undertake gulley repairs in Wimhurst Close.

 


Blower Close/Betjamin Close, Rayleigh - Rochford District Council has pledged to dig a new ditch to the rear of Blower Close, Rayleigh. This would not fall under Rochford District Council’s responsibility but a decision was made to step in to help residents. Work has been carried out at the nearby Turret Open Space to clear ditches and to clean and repair screens.  A new screen will also be installed in Napier Road, which is also close by.


Cherry Orchard Lane, Rochford – The Environment Agency will carry out an inspection of Nobles Green Ditch and will instigate annual vegetation clearance.


Pearsons Avenue & Vernon Avenue – The main sewer in Walter Raleigh Drive was found to have been penetrated by tree roots. This blockage has been which should resolve the issues in this location.


Salem Walk and Fairmead, Rayleigh – Vegetation has been cleared and screens cleared of debris. The landowners are meeting with the Environment Agency and Anglian Water. Landowners (Rochford Housing Association) have employed consultants to look at works required and future maintenance.


Westminster Drive,/Caernarvon Close, Hockley – Works to the ditch at Westminster Drive have been carried out. Anglian Water are looking into renewing the screen. The Council has spoken to the landowner about clearing his ditches and will report back on progress at the next meeting.


Canterbury Close, Rayleigh – Anglian Water has inspected the surface water sewer and found it is clear. It will be further investigated and non-return valves fitted.


Wyburns Avenue East, Rayleigh – Screens at Daws Heath Road serving the highway culvert have been cleared of debris. Rayleigh Town Council are considering the viability of installing a pond/wetland within Wyburns Open Space to prevent surface flood water from Rayleigh Weir from overwhelming Eastwood Brook during heavy storms. Talks will now take place with the Environment Agency and the Woodlands Trust to see whether would be a solution to the issue.


Watery Lane –  Essex County Council has installed three new gullies and high water pressure jetting has taken place. They have de-silted the ditch downstream. They have carried out a survey to establish why the flow of the existing ditch and crossing point is stopping the flow to the Highways drains and will report back to the next meeting.


Bramfield East/Barrymore Walk, Rayleigh – The Environment Agency will be carrying out annual vegetation clearance.


Sweyne Park – Rochford District Council has appointed a contractor to go into the park this Autumn and remove a number of trees where roots are severely blocking the ditches. Ditches will be de-silted and screens installed.


Church Road, Hockley – Essex County Council Highways and Rochford District Council have met with Network Rail, who have carried out work on the ditches, and the problem has been resolved.


Barling Road, Barling, near to Kingsmead Cottages – A ditch has been dug out, following discussions with the landowners. Essex County Council Highways will now carry out works to the retaining wall serving the highway culvert.


Riverside Industrial Estate/Horse & Groom pub, Rochford – The Environment Agency has spoken with the owners of the Horse & Groom and are looking at flood protection for the pub. They will be seeking to trace the owner of a pipe further down the river.


Laburnham Way, Rayleigh – Rochford District Council is in discussions with the landowners regarding ditch and tree works.


Rochford Reservoir outfall –  Rochford District Council has instructed a contractor. This is going to be dug out and silt removed this Autumn.


Windsor Way, Rayleigh – The system here has been jetted and the gullies and highway drains are running free. Anglian Water and Essex County Council Highways are to explore if there is a capacity issue here.


Trinity Road, Rayleigh – This has been jetted out and a camera survey completed. No blockage has been found. Essex County Council Highways will check the gullies are clear and Anglian Water will check if there are capacity issues with the pipework.


Fairland Close, Rayleigh – This has been jetted out and a camera survey completed which showed no blockage.


Tudor Close, Rayleigh – Anglian Water found silt in the main sewer, which has now been cleared.


Warwick Road/Warwick Close, Rayleigh – Essex County Council Highways have carried out surfacing work. The matter has been passed to the county council’s capital maintenance team to look into.


Victoria Avenue, Rayleigh – Both Essex County Council and Anglian Water have carried out jetting. Essex County Council is to re-visit this site.


Nobles Green ditch – The Environment Agency has an annual plan for maintenance works, works are set to be completed here in the New Year.


Etheldore Avenue, Hockley – Talks have been taking place with the developer and maintenance work has been carried out. The pumping station here is set to be adopted by Anglian Water in 2016.


Rawreth Lane – Work is to a damaged drain is due to be carried out here very soon. This had to be delayed awaiting the completion of works in Watery Lane.


High Road, Hockley – Essex County Council has carried out jetting. Anglian Water will now examine the sewer.


Main Road, Hawkwell – problem with drain reported - ECC Highways to liaise with resident.


Ditch running between Langdon Road and London Road, Rayleigh – Essex County Council Highways will establish if the road is publically adopted and, if not, who has responsibility.


Albert Road, Rayleigh – The ditch here is the responsibility of the landowner. Anglian Water will look into this matter.


Little Wakering Creek. At the bottom of Kimberley Road the outfall pipe to the sea side is blocked. The Environment Agency is to feedback on why the grille is sited on the outside. The incoming ditch, which needs to be cleared, is the private landowner’s responsibility. Rochford District Council will seek to identify who the landowner is.


Rosslyn Road, Hockley- Anglian Water is to undertake a survey