Issue - meetings

This report advises Members on the progress made with the trial use of the Aquabarrier flood defence system and seeks guidance on the future response to flooding from the River Ouse in the Clementhorpe area.

RESOLVED: (i)         That approval be given to terminate the trial of the Aquabarrier system and implement a revised action plan of introducing a sandbag bund across Clementhorpe to offer residents some assistance in times of flooding from the river Ouse in the Clementhorpe area.

REASON:      To overcome the potential health and safety risks associated with the seepage flow through the ground causing road failure and flooding behind the line of defence and to offer some measure of assistance to residents of the Clementhorpe area.

                        (ii)        That the Environment Agency be requested to report on how the Clementhorpe area, and other parts of the City, will be provided with permanent flood protection and to make this information, and programme installation dates, available to affected communities and Ward Councillors.

REASON:      To secure the long term protection of this area from flooding and to ensure that residents are kept informed.

Members considered a report which advised them of progress made on the trial use of the Aquabarrier flood defence system and sought guidance on the future response to flooding from the River Ouse in the Clementhorpe area.

On 8 June 2006, the Executive Member for Neighbourhood Services had approved the acceptance of an offer by Aquabarrier Systems Ltd. to pilot a demountable flood defence system in Clementhorpe, at minimal cost to the Council.  The Aquabarrier had since been deployed during a river flood event in September 2008, when problems with seepage had occurred, as illustrated in the diagram at Annex B to the report.  Aquabarrier Systems Ltd. believed the problem fell outside the scope of their commitment to the pilot project, due to the poor ground conditions and the unknown extent of remedial works.

Members were therefore invited to consider the following options:

Option 1 – continue with the trial of the barrier.  Not recommended, due to health and safety implications, as detailed in paragraphs 10-15 of the report.

Option 2 – provide underground seepage cut-off.  Not recommended, as it would be very expensive (with the Council bearing the cost) and difficult to install due to the number of utility services in the area.

Option 3 – terminate the trial of the Aquabarrier system and provide a sand bag bund across Clementhorpe pending the provision of a permanent flood alleviation scheme by the Environment Agency (EA).  This was the recommended option, as the EA had plans to study the feasibility of a permanent scheme for this area, starting in the 2012/13 financial year.

In response to the issues raised under Public Participation, Officers explained why the geology of the area meant that reinforcing the road surface would not be an appropriate response and why a permanent solution, as provided by the EA’s scheme, was required.  Having noted the comments of the Labour Group on this item, it was

RESOLVED: (i)         That approval be given to terminate the trial of the Aquabarrier system and implement a revised action plan of introducing a sandbag bund across Clementhorpe to offer residents some assistance in times of flooding from the river Ouse in the Clementhorpe area. ¹

REASON:      To overcome the potential health and safety risks associated with the seepage flow through the ground causing road failure and flooding behind the line of defence and to offer some measure of assistance to residents of the Clementhorpe area.

                        (ii)        That the Environment Agency be requested to report on how the Clementhorpe area, and other parts of the City, will be provided with permanent flood protection and to make this information, and programme installation dates, available to affected communities and Ward Councillors. ²

REASON:      To secure the long term protection of this area from flooding and to ensure that residents are kept informed.