Agenda item

This report sets out a response to an issue, raised by Councillor Osborne, concerning recent surface water flooding in Luton, Chatham.

A representative from the Southern Water will be in attendance at the meeting to answer Member’s questions.

Discussion:

The Committee received a report setting out a response to a Member’s item from Councillor Osborne concerning surface water flooding in Luton, Chatham after a period of heavy rainfall on 29 May 2018. It was noted that the flooding incident was currently the subject of an investigation, the results of which were awaited.

Jean-Paul Collet, Operational Wastewater Network Manager from Southern Water was in attendance to respond to Members’ questions.

The Committee was informed that gully clearance formed part of the Highways Annual Maintenance Programme and a schedule detailing the regularity of gully clearance in Luton in 2018 was submitted. It was noted that where gullies had not been cleansed, this had been due to parked vehicles preventing access.

In addition to regular gully clearance, Highways Inspectors had inspected Nelson Terrace, Queens Road, Beacon Hill and Capstone Road on 17 April 2018 and no defects had been found in the gullies at that time. There was also no evidence of sedimentation or leaf collection that would impede water discharging through the gully system. Further inspections had been carried out following the flooding incident on 29 May and no defects had been found.

Southern Water advised that they had not received reports of flooding or blockages in Capstone Road that would have identified a requirement for cleaning. Following the flooding on 29 May, Southern Water had undertaken a survey of the sewer. The survey concluded that the flood had been a result of sewer overloading and overland surface water flow. The survey had also identified the need for a lining repair to part of the sewer and, as these works would require a traffic management system to be put in place, the necessary permits were being progressed with the Council and it was hoped that this work would be undertaken within 4 – 6 weeks.

It was confirmed that in response to reports of flooding at sites across Medway on 29 May, the Council instigated its Emergency Plan Procedures and Strood Leisure Centre had been put on standby to receive emergency evacuees. Officers attended all sites in Medway where there had been reports of flooding. In Luton, all residents at Nelson Terrace had either been rehoused, placed in emergency accommodation or were staying with relatives and neither Housing Association in Nelson Terrace had requested support from the Council.

The Committee discussed the report and expressed appreciation to Southern Water for attending the meeting to listen to Members’ concerns and answer questions.

The following issues were discussed:

·         Frequency of gully clearance

It was reported that the frequency of gully clearance was dependent upon the area and whilst some areas had an annual cleanse, two cycles of gully clearance were undertaken per annum in the Luton area. As a result of the recent flash flood in Luton, the area would be revisited to establish if extra cleansing would be beneficial.

·         Inability to clear gullies owing to parked vehicles

Councillor Osborne expressed concern that a number of gullies not  cleansed in Luton were located in roads where there were double yellow lines. Therefore, he considered it unlikely that access would be prevented by parked vehicles. The Head of Highways and Parking Services agreed to investigate this further.

·         Flood Mapping

The Flood, Drainage and Special Projects Officer advised that officers were in the process of gathering information to verify flood mapping to build up an evidence based map of areas at risk of flooding and the levels of risk.

·         Liaison with the two Housing Associations in Nelson Terrace

Whilst thanking the Committee for the appreciation extended to officers and various agencies for their response to the flooding across various areas of Medway, the Director Regeneration, Culture, Environment and Transformation and Deputy Chief Executive acknowledged Councillor Osborne’s comment that the two Housing Associations in Nelson Terrace had advised him that they had tried to contact the Council without success. He agreed to investigate this further.

·         Design capability of the sewage system

Jean-Paul Collet advised upon the capacity of the sewers and confirmed that when surveyed following the flooding incident on 29 May, a small amount of debris had been found. It was unclear whether this had built up before the storm or had been flushed down during the storm, but the level of debris was insignificant and had not caused or contributed to the flooding.

·         Future investment in the sewer system by Southern Water

Jean-Paul Collet advised that Southern Water’s funding was directed to areas with a history of flooding. Whilst Southern Water recognised that the impact of the flooding in the Luton area was unfortunate, based on the current information available, the prospect for investment to upgrade the network in the near to medium term was low. However, in light of the incident on 29 May, this would be recorded and would be taken into account when areas were ranked for possible future investment.

The Committee acknowledged that existing sewer systems were being placed under increasing pressure from new build developments and the detrimental effect created by a build up of fats, oils and non-biodegradable items being deposited into the drainage system. However, it was noted that this was not unique to Medway and was a country-wide problem.

·         Planning for future responses to floods in Medway

It was acknowledged that Medway had an excellent record of responding to tidal flooding owing to its riverside location but it was suggested that in the light of the recent flash floods in Luton, Strood and Gillingham due to heavy rainfall, the Council review its response to unpredictable flooding. The Director Regeneration, Culture, Environment and Transformation and Deputy Chief Executive agreed that this would be taken forward.

In response to a question as to whether the Council regularly met with partner agencies in planning for emergencies, the Director Regeneration, Culture, Environment and Transformation and Deputy Chief Executive reminded the Committee that the Council had been commended for its partnership working by the recent Corporate Peer Challenge in November 2017 and confirmed that officers regularly met with partner agencies.

·         Letter to residents informing them of work undertaken and future obligations

It was suggested that Southern Water consider sending a letter to local residents explaining the work that had been carried out in surveying the sewer and the repair works due to be carried out in the near future and setting out the obligations of Southern Water. It was also suggested that there could be a benefit in such a letter being a joint collaboration between Southern Water and the Council. In response, Jean-Paul Collet advised the Committee that he was happy to take this suggestion away for consideration and he advised that the Chief Executive of Southern Water had already committed to visit the area with the local MP. 

Decisions:

The Committee:

a)            noted that the Director Regeneration, Culture, Environment and Transformation and Deputy Chief Executive will investigate the issue of contact between the Council and the two Housing Associations in Nelson Terrace on the day of the flood.

b)            noted that the Head of Highways and Parking Services will investigate the claim that a number of uncleansed gullies had been located in areas where there were double yellow lines and therefore could not be blocked by parked vehicles.

c)            noted that the Director Regeneration, Culture, Environment and Transformation and Deputy Chief Executive will instigate a review of the Council’s Emergency Procedures to ensure that it covers unpredictable flooding.

d)            noted that Southern Water will consider sending local residents a letter explaining the work that has been carried out in surveying the sewer in Luton and the repair works due to be carried out in the near future and setting out the obligations of Southern Water. Such a letter to be a possible joint collaboration with the Council.

e)            agreed that the Assistant Director Front Line Services be requested to consider providing a monthly gully cleansing schedule to all Members of the Council.