Parishes and communities working together
Community
or group
Ponteland
Floodline Quickdial
Number
0345 988 1188
Local flood warning trigger
Date
Address
Ponteland Town Council, Council Offices, Meadowfield Court,
Meadowfield Industrial Estate, Ponteland, Northumberland, NE20 9SD
Which Environment Agency
flood warnings are you
registered to receive?
Northumberland Environment Agency
Environment Agency Flood Warning
30/11/2015
Environment Agency – Community Flood Plan
Contents
1. Actions to be taken before a flood
A - Introduction and Flood warning levels
B - Locations at risk of flooding: locations at risk of flooding / sources of flooding
C – Map showing flood risk areas in Ponteland
2. Actions to be taken during a flood
A - Local flood actions
B - Local volunteers / flood wardens
C – The Role of a Community Flood Warden
D – Important telephone numbers
E - Arrangements between authorities
F – Northumberland County Council Sandbag Policy
G - Vulnerable residents, properties and locations
3. After a flood
A – What to do after a flood?
Environment Agency – Community Flood Plan
1A – Introduction and Flood Warning levels
1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 The purpose of this plan is to assist both Ponteland Town Council and residents living within the catchment area of the Council in preparing
and responding to a flooding event in the Ponteland area.
1.2 The information set out in this plan focus on the operational aspects of flooding, eg protecting life and property and managing the flood.
1.3 The roles and responsibilities of organisations operating in Ponteland are also set out in this document for clarity at each stage of flooding.
2.0 FLOOD WARNINGS
2.1 The Environment Agency’s Local Flood Warning Plan provides details of the flood warning arrangements for specific Flood Warning areas
where there is a risk of flooding from rivers or the sea. The Agency also provides information on ground water levels.
2.2 There are four warning codes, represented by graphical icons. These are:

Flood Alert - flooding is possible. This is a general alert concerning flooding from rivers, streams, ditches, watercourses, estuaries and the
sea.

Flood Warning - flooding is expected. This relates to specific Flood Warning Areas at risk of flooding from rivers and the sea.

Severe Flood Warning - Severe flooding is expected. Act now!

All Clear - there are no flood watches or flood warnings currently in force.
Environment Agency – Community Flood Plan
Flood Alert
Flooding is possible, and the situation could worsen, so:
Watch water levels
Stay tuned to local radio or TV
Ring Floodline on 0845 988 1188
Make sure you have what you need to put your flood plan into action
Alert your neighbours, particularly the elderly
Check pets and livestock
Reconsider travel plans
Flood Warning
Flooding is now expected, so put your flood plan into action:
As with Flood Watch plus
Move pets, vehicles, food, valuables and other items to safety
Put sandbags or flood boards in place
Prepare to turn off gas and electricity
Be prepared to evacuate your home
Protect yourself, your family and others that need your help
Environment Agency – Community Flood Plan
Severe Flood Warning
Severe flooding is now expected:
As with Flood Warning plus
Be prepared to lose power supplies - gas, electricity, water, telephone
Try to keep calm, and to reassure others, especially children
Co-operate with emergency services and local authorities
You may be evacuated
All Clear
An all clear will be issued when flood watches or warnings are no longer in force.
Flood water levels receding.
Check all is safe to return.
Seek advice.
Environment Agency – Community Flood Plan
1B – Actions to be taken before a flood: Locations at risk of flooding / source of flooding
Area number
Area 1
Location at risk
The centre of Ponteland Village
Source of flooding
This area has in the past been inundated as a result of rainfall and fluvial
flooding of the River Pont
Area 2
Golf club land to the east of Eland Estate
Area 3
Eland Haugh Estate
This area was flooded in 2008. This was as a result of water levels in the
Fairney Burn. The Eland Estate and Fairney Edge are likely to become
at greater risk of flooding as flows in the Fairney Burn increase due to
climate change.
Overloaded drainage capabilities And water being trapped behind fluvial
defences
Area 4
Area to the west of Fox Covert Lane
Surface water flooding has been known to occur at this location following
heavy rainfall
Area 5
Area between Mayfair Gardens and
Callerton Lane
Surface water flooding has been known to occur at this location following
heavy rainfall
Area 6
Junction between Callerton Lane and
Middle Drive
This was caused due to the surcharging of highway drains. Work has
been undertaken by NCC to clear gullies and a culvert. The
effectiveness of this work is being monitored.
Area 7
Land to the south of Darras Hall estate
onto properties at Edgehill and also at one
property on Hadrian Court
The cause for this is unclear as it partly depends on the existence of
natural drainage pathways.
Area 8
North East corner of the school fields of
Darras Hall First School
This is due to high groundwater tables and local drainage issues
Environment Agency – Community Flood Plan
Area 9
Area 10
The area at the confluence of the Callerton
Burn with the River Pont
Area north of Eland Edge
Area 11
Callerton Lane/ Rotary Way Roundabout
Area 12
Eland Estate (2)
Area 13
North East Ponteland/ Woodside and near
to Eland Hall
Trash screen blockage affects a significant number of properties along
this water course
Significant flooding occurred in the areas in 1998. Waters entering the
Pont are now being controlled by a pumping station.
The excess water originated on land to the south west of the roundabout
and overwhelmed a drain. It also identified flooding in the back gardens
of properties within Birney Edge, Greenacres and other properties off
Edgehill. This was attributed to excess overland surface water flows
which are the result of replacement of a watercourse by a culvert at the
bottom of Birney Hill Farm.
PTC has in the past reported surcharging of drains at this location. A
standby pump had been provided to cope with this situation when it
occured. Northumbrian Water Ltd report that this has now been replaced
with a permanent pump at Church Chare. The extent of sewer flooding is
unclear in Ponteland.
Information provided by Northumbrian Water indicates that flooding in
this area is believed to be as a result of limited sewer capacity.
Flooding Sources
The technical guidance states that “Flood Risk” means risk of flooding from all sources – including from rivers and the sea, directly from rainfall on the ground
surface and rising groundwater, overwhelmed sewers and drainage systems and from reservoirs, canals and lakes and other artificial sources.
Section 8.3 of Northumberland Water Cycle Study (URS) 2012 describes sources of flooding as:
Fluvial Flooding [Flooding from rivers and streams]


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Tidal Flooding [Flooding from the sea]
Surface Water Flooding [Flooding from run-off from land]
Sewer Flooding [Flooding from sewers]
Other sources of flooding
Environment Agency – Community Flood Plan


Groundwater [Flooding from groundwater]
Artificial Sources [Flooding from reservoirs, canals and other artificial sources]
The Northumberland Outline Water Cycle Study classifies Fluvial, Surface Water and Sewer flooding all as having an Amber risk. There are also instances of
groundwater flooding recorded in the Darras Hall Estate in Ponteland. Northumbrian Water Ltd has since undertaken more work to clarify flood risk from
sewers.
Fluvial Flooding
Modelling of the River Pont and Fairney Burn through Ponteland village has been undertaken and this gives a higher level of understanding of Fluvial flooding in
those rivers than elsewhere. The centre of Ponteland Village was inundated in 2000, but is now better protected from fluvial flooding. However, there are still
points of weakness which will need emergency protection such as sand bagging during a 1 in 100 year flood or greater.
As a result of wetter and warmer winters, an increase in large fluvial flood events is likely to affect rivers and watercourses. The Environment Agency’s
Ponteland Flood Visualisation Report (January 2011) recommends capital investment to upgrade the defences in Ponteland Village to address the points of
weaknesses identified. However, neither the Environment Agency nor Northumberland County Council have plans to carry out improvements to flood defences
or natural river channels that may increase the current standard of protection from flooding in the Ponteland area within the next 5 years.
Fluvial flooding elsewhere is less well understood, but the Environment Agency has provided flood zone maps of key areas throughout the subject area. The
flood zone maps are based on river and sea flooding only, so do not provide details of flooding from other sources. These show that the 1 in 100 and 1 in 1000
flood extents are generally associated within a band either side of main rivers and principal ordinary watercourses.
The main exceptions are in the Prestwick Carrs area, Ponteland east of the river Pont and an area to the north of Eland Hall, where much wider areas are
classified as 1 in 100 and 1 in 1000 flood zones. Northumberland County Council’s Strategic Flood Risk Assessment shows that parts of these three areas are
also in the “Functional Flood Plain” which means that they are assumed to store flood water during flood events and must therefore be protected from
development to maintain this function.
Anecdotal information from a resident of Fairney Edge revealed that in 2012 the Fairney Burn overtopped a flood defence bund adjacent to properties in that
area and caused flooding of gardens and garages. The bund has since been raised.
The 2008 flood outline shown in the Ponteland Flood Visualisation Report shows golf club land to the east of the Eland Estate as having flooded. This is
attributed to water levels in the Fairney Burn. Although there is no discernible difference in ground level between the housing estate and the land that flooded,
the flood outline did not extend into the developed area. Although the estate benefits from a flood defence bund along the river Pont which lies to the west there
is no barrier on the eastern edge. The lack of flooding in the estate during the 2008 flood may therefore be the result of the standby pump on Church Chare.
The Eland Estate and Fairney Edge are likely to become at greater risk of flooding as flows in the Fairney Burn increase due to climate change. Flows in the
Fairney Burn could be controlled relatively easily by the installation of a flow management mechanism at the point where it passes under the former railway
Environment Agency – Community Flood Plan
embankment which crosses fields to the north of Rotary Way. This would require the low lying land (below 60.00m AOD) to the west of the embankment to be
kept available for flood storage.
Areas that currently receive flood warnings are:


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River Pont at Kirkley Mill and Ponteland
River Pont at Fairney Edge at Ponteland
River Pont at Ponteland.
Anecdotal information suggests that in recent years some watercourses have flooded areas that are shown on flood maps to be in Flood Zone 1 (less than 1 in
1000 chance of flooding). This suggests that the flood maps are not entirely precise in their classification of risk of fluvial flooding.
Surface Water Flooding
The Ponteland Flood Visualisation report indicates that surface water is known to cause flooding in Ponteland. This can occur in the Eland Haugh Estate due to
overloaded drainage capabilities and water being trapped behind fluvial defences.
The 2008 flood outline shown in the Ponteland Flood Visualisation report indicates surface water flooding:



to the west of Fox Covert Lane
between Mayfair Gardens and Callerton Lane
to the east of Eland Estate
The Environment Agency surface water flood map shows a large number of areas throughout the Parish of Ponteland having an annual risk of flooding of greater
than 1 in 30 and more extensive areas with an annual risk greater than 1 in 100.
Ponteland Town Council report surface water flooding at the junction between Callerton Lane and Middle Drive. This appears to be, at least in part, to the
surcharging of highway drains. Northumberland County Council reports that 9 houses had been flooded in this area. Works have now been undertaken by
Northumberland County Council to clear gullies and a culvert. The effectiveness of this work is being monitored.
Surface water flooding is reported by Ponteland Town Council as occurring from the land to the south of Darras Hall estate onto properties at Edgehill and also
by one resident’s property in Hadrian Court. The responsibility for this is unclear, because it partly depends on the existence of natural drainage pathways.
There is also anecdotal information of various flooding incidents at 16 locations throughout Ponteland village and Darras Hall Estate.
The Strategic Flood Risk Report (Map B2 – 15) shows reported flood issues at three locations in Ponteland Village and Darras Hall estate.
Environment Agency – Community Flood Plan

The first is close to the north east corner of the school fields of Darras Hall First School. It is described as “high groundwater tables and local drainage
issues”.

The second is at the confluence of the Callerton Burn with the River Pont and states “Trash screen blockage affects a significant number of properties
along this water course”.

The third is north of Eland Edge which states “Significant flooding occurred in 1998. Waters entering the Pont are now controlled by a pumping station”.
It therefore appears that localised flooding incidents are common throughout Ponteland and Darras Hall during periods of heavy rain. The causes of many of
these flooding incidents are not well understood and probably relate to variety of sources. These are likely to include surface runoff from land, surcharging of
highway drainage and other drains and watercourses.
Flooding which affects significant property such has houses, offices or shops should be reported to the Environment Agency and Northumberland County
Council.
Northumberland County Council keeps a record of flooding incidents, but flooding of gardens and open areas is not included.
Northumberland County Council has prepared a Flood Investigation Report on the 2012 floods. It is also intending to commission a survey of watercourses
which pass through gardens. The Flood Investigation report identified flooding at the Callerton Lane/Rotary Way Roundabout, which resulted in flooding of
several properties. The excess water originated on land to the south west of the roundabout and overwhelmed a drain. It also identified flooding in the back
gardens of properties within Birney Edge, Greenacres and other properties off Edgehill. This was attributed to excess overland surface water flows which are the
result of replacement of a watercourse by a culvert at the bottom of Birney Hill Farm.
There have been previous attempts to organise voluntary help within Ponteland Parish during floods. Enquiries to the Environment Agency and Northumberland
County Council have not revealed any current clear organisation and anecdotal information provided by a previous volunteer flood warden and the Environment
Agency suggests that Flood Wardens are currently not very active in Ponteland.
The County Council’s Civil Contingencies Team has a duty to plan for and coordinate emergency response.
Sewer Flooding
The extent of sewer flooding is unclear. However Ponteland Town Council report surcharging of drains at Eland Estate and that a standby pump had been
provided to cope with this situation when it occurs. Northumbrian Water Ltd report that this has now been replaced with a permanent pump at Church Chare.
Sewer flooding incidents have been reported for north east Ponteland, Woodside and near to Eland Hall. Information provided by Northumbrian Water Ltd has
confirmed that areas in north-east Ponteland are at risk of sewer flooding indicating that there may be limited sewer capacity in these areas.
Where rainfall exceeds the design 1 in 20 year event surcharging of the drains would be expected.
Environment Agency – Community Flood Plan
Groundwater flooding
The Strategic Flood Risk Assessment states that there are instances of groundwater flooding recorded in the Darras Hall estate in Ponteland. However these are
not identified. Northumbrian Water Ltd report that during the 2000 floods some customers on Eland Estate did talk about ground water rising up through land
rather than simply running off.
Information gathered for the Neighbourhood Plan suggests that flooding in Ponteland parish is mainly from rivers, surface water flooding from land and some
sewer flooding.
Environment Agency – Community Flood Plan
Areas/issues PTC has concern about

The capacity of the main foul sewer which is apparently at its full capacity and requires upgrading to cope with any further building

Overflowing gullies in times of heavy rain when cleaning/clearing has not been executed and would like to see more frequent clearing undertaken by the
Highways authority(NCC)

The drains at Callerton lane/Middle Drive junction which have been partially repaired but is a matter for ongoing discussions at the Highways Working
Group[HWG]

The state of the River Pont particularly at Ponteland Bridge which is the responsibility of the Environment Agency[EA] and is regularly discussed with
representatives of EA by the Environment working Group[EWG]

The run off from fields at rear of Edgehill which is the responsibility of the land owner but is supervised by NCC as the legally responsible authority.

Drainage ditches at rear of Western Way requiring clearing which are referred to NCC for appropriate action.

Surcharge of drains at Eland Estate where after discussions with the EA a standby pump has been provided to cope with this situation when it occurs.

Carr Fields at Prestwick which is mainly the concern of Newcastle City Council but also has an effect on adjacent properties.
Areas/issues about which Ponteland Town Council have received the most complaints
As PTC do not have a call centre arrangement exact figures and in many cases PTC direct the complainant to the relevant local authority. They also take various
forms, telephone calls or raised directly with Town Councillors and are then discussed at the various working groups. However on a subjective basis the
following ranking is possibly appropriate.
1 Gullies
2 Callerton Lane junction
3 Edgehill
4 River Pont, Foul Sewer, etc
Environment Agency – Community Flood Plan
1C – Map showing flood risk areas in Ponteland
Environment Agency – Community Flood Plan
2A – Actions to be taken during a flood: local flood actions
In the event of a flood, focus on the safety of you and your family
• Cooperate with the emergency services if they tell you to evacuate during flooding.
• Be prepared to act quickly and get yourself to safety. The Environment Agency (EA) use their flood warning services to warn you of
flooding from rivers and the sea as soon as they can. But there are some types of flooding the EA can’t predict.
Stay alert to localised flooding
Also known as ‘surface water flooding’. This usually happens where drainage systems are unable to cope with heavy spells of rainfall. The
Environment Agency cannot give you a direct warning for this type of flooding. Instead the EA forecast where it might be a problem in
certain counties and put a daily flood risk forecast on their website. You can also find out about the possibility of ‘surface water’ flooding in
your area by checking local weather forecasts.
Checking the gauge map for further information
Residents may also wish to check the gauge map in order to remain informed as to local river levels, groundwater levels and flooding flows.
Those wishing to check these levels can do so by following the link provided here:
http://www.gaugemap.co.uk/#Detail/711
What to do in an emergency
Follow these simple steps to stay safe:
1. Check in with other people in your household - if they are not at home make sure they are somewhere safe.
2. Gather essential items together either upstairs or in a high place.
3. Fill jugs and saucepans with clean water.
4. Move your family and pets upstairs, or to a high place with a means of escape.
5. Turn off gas, electricity and water supplies when flood water is about to enter your home if safe to do so. DO NOT touch sources of
electricity when standing in flood water.
6. Keep listening to local radio for updates or call floodline 0345 988 1188
7. Check in with vulnerable neighbours or relatives. 8. Flood water can rise quickly, stay calm and reassure those around you. Call 999 if
you are in danger.
Environment Agency – Community Flood Plan
Important! Flood water is dangerous
• Six inches of fast-flowing water can knock over an adult and two feet of water can move a car.
• Avoid walking or driving through it.
• Keep children and vulnerable people away from it.
• Wash your hands thoroughly if you touch it.
Move important items to safety and put flood protection equipment in place when there is a flood warning. Follow manufacturers’
instructions carefully to help stop or reduce the flood water entering your property.
Take items upstairs or to a safe place in your property
• Safely store important documents such as insurance papers.
• Move items of personal value such as photos, family films or treasured mementos.
• Move lightweight household belongings you can pick up easily and quickly.
• Move items of furniture that are expensive or harder to repair before cheaper ones. If possible, move your outside belongings to higher
ground
• If the flood water hasn’t reached you, move your car to higher ground and move outdoor pets to safety. Help stop water entering your
home
• Put plugs in sinks and baths. Weigh them down with a sandbag, a pillowcase or plastic bag filled with garden soil, or a heavy object. If you
do not have non-return valves fitted
• Plug water inlet pipes with towels or cloths.
• Disconnect any equipment that uses water (like washing machines and dishwashers).
Stay safe, always listen to the advice of the emergency services and evacuate when told to do so.
• Leave your home if the emergency services say so. Refusing to leave on their advice will put you, your family and those trying to help you
at risk.
• When you are evacuated you will be taken to an evacuation centre run by your local council. Free food and bedding is provided. Bring
spare clothing, essential medication and babycare items if you have an infant.
• Most evacuation centres will let you bring your pets. Take their food. Put cats and small animals in a pet carrier or secure box.
• People running the centres are trained to give you support and advice. They will help you through the stress of a flood and prepare you for
what to do afterwards.
Environment Agency – Community Flood Plan
2B – Actions to be taken during a flood: local volunteers / flood wardens
List of local volunteers/flood wardens that could be contacted in an incident.
Name
Scooby Paul David
Greenwell
Andrew Cannon
George Calvert Thompson
Address
Telephone Day
4 Elmwood Drive, Ponteland. Newcastle upon Tyne. 07837343530
NE20 9QQ
14 Killiebrigs, Heddon on the Wall. Newcastle upon
07950428159
Tyne. NE15 0DD
Burnside Farm House, Matfen. Newcastle upon
07971358869
Tyne. NE20 0RT
Telephone Evening
07837343530
Mobile
07837343530
07950428159
07950428159
07971358869
07971358869
2C - Actions to be taken during a flood: The Role of a Community Flood warden
The role of the community flood warden is primarily one of communication, and there are many ways in which a Community
Flood Warden can help their local community in times of flood. These include:











Assist with the creation and maintenance of the Community Flood Plan with the Environment Agency and councils.
Monitor the condition of local drains, culverts, brooks and other watercourses and report any defects or blockages to the appropriate agency.
Distributing flood related information to the public.
Encouraging individuals to sign up to the Environment Agency free flood warning service, Floodline Warnings Direct (FWD) where available.
Making arrangements to reinforce flood warnings when they are issued.
Visit people at risk to ensure that warnings have been received.
Call for assistance on behalf of people who are struggling to carry out essential actions to safeguard themselves or their property.
Have local knowledge and information on the latest flood situation (the Environment Agency will help with this).
Liaise with the Environment Agency, councils and emergency services on local conditions and needs on the ground.
Note and report local flood event details.
If possible set up local patrols to monitor the situation.
Environment Agency – Community Flood Plan
2D – Actions to be taken during a flood: Important telephone numbers
Organisation
Telephone (office hours)
Telephone (out of hours or in an
emergency)
Floodline
0345 988 1188
0345 988 1188
Environment Agency
03708 506 506
03708 506 506
County Council
0345 600 6400
N/A
Fire & Rescue Service
01670 621110
999
Police
101
999
Ambulance Service
111
999
Northumbrian Water
0345 717 1100
0345 717 1100
British Gas
0800 048 0202
0800 111999
British Telecom
0800 800150
N/A
Ponteland Town Council
01661 825092
N/A
Environment Agency – Community Flood Plan
2E – Actions to be taken during a flood: Arrangements between authorities
Individual(s)/ Organisation(s)
Riparian Owners
Agreed arrangement
Riparian landowners own land adjoining a watercourse. As detailed within the Environment Agency
document ‘Living on the Edge’, they are presumed to own the land up to the centre of the watercourse –
unless it is known to be owned by someone else. Riparian landowners have certain rights and
responsibilities, including the following:
• they must maintain the bed and banks of the watercourse, and also the trees and shrubs growing on the
banks;
• they must clear away any debris, even if it did not originate from their land. This debris may be natural or
man-made;
• they must keep any structures that they own clear of debris. These structures include culverts, trash
screens, weirs and mill gates;
• if they do not carry out their responsibilities, they could face legal action.
Riparian landowners must understand and act upon these responsibilities.
Riparian owners have the right to protect their property from flooding and their land from erosion. These
activities may require a Land Drainage Consent from Northumberland County Council if the works are by an
Ordinary Watercourse or a Flood Defence Consent from the Environment Agency if the works are by a Main
River.
Northumberland County Council (NCC)
Northumberland County Council is both the Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA) and the Highway Authority
(HA) within Northumberland.
As the LLFA Northumberland County Council has a responsibility to investigate flood incidents under
Section 19 of the Flood and Water Management Act (2010). The nature of the investigation will depend
upon the extent of the flooding. And the outcome from any investigation will be used to help prioritise
future bids for funding. Funding to manage flood risk is prioritised and allocated on a national basis.
Therefore, we cannot promise to address all issues.
Land Drainage Consent is required from Northumberland County Council for any works that are likely to
impede the flow of water within an Ordinary Watercourse. This is to ensure that the risk of flooding does
not increase and that any ecological issues are addressed.
Northumberland County Council also has powers under Section 25 of the Land Drainage Act (1991) to
serve notice on any persons impeding the flow of an ordinary watercourse without consent and causing an
increase in flood risk.
As the Highway Authority NCC has a duty to maintain the highway under Section 41 of the Highway Act
Environment Agency – Community Flood Plan
(1980).
Culverts under a Highway are most likely to be the responsibility of Northumberland County Council and
blockages or any damage to these culverts should be reported to NCC.
In the event of a flooding emergency Northumberland County Council will distribute sandbags from
specified locations in the vicinity of the flood zone. Sandbags are not available from Council depots.
Members of the public are advised to self-help by purchasing sandbags in advance from hardware stores
and builders merchants where alternative flood protection devices can also be acquired.
→ Please contact Northumberland County Council if you:
Wish to report a flooding incident arising from an ordinary watercourse;
Want to obtain a Land Drainage Consent for works in an ordinary watercourse.
Wish to report a problem with an adopted highway;
See flood water on an adopted highway;
Wish to report a blocked or damaged culvert under an adopted highway;
The Highways Agency
The Highways Agency is responsible for managing road drainage from the trunk road network in England,
including the slip roads to and from trunk roads. Within Northumberland this includes the A1, A19 and
A69.
Culverts under a trunk road are most likely to be the responsibility of the Highways Agency. Any blockages
or any damage to these culverts should be reported.
→ Please contact the Highways Agency if you:
Wish to report flooding on a trunk road;
Wish to report a blocked or damaged culvert under a trunk road.
The Environment Agency has permissive powers to carry out maintenance work on Main Rivers under
Environment Agency
Section 165 of the Water Resources Act (1991).
Under Section 109 of the Water Resources Act (1991) a Flood Defence Consent is required from the
Environment Agency for any works that are in, under, over or within five metres of a Main river.
The Environment Agency provides a flood warning service throughout England and Wales in areas at risk of
flooding from rivers or the sea. They do this by monitoring rainfall, river levels and sea conditions 24 hours
a day and then use this information to forecast the possibility of flooding.
→Please contact the Environment Agency if you:


Wish to obtain a Flood Defence Consent for works in, under, over or within five metres of a main
river;
Wish to speak to someone regarding maintenance on a Main River;
Environment Agency – Community Flood Plan

Northumbrian Water (NWL)
Wish to find out if you are eligible to receive a flood warning and register for the service you can call
Floodline on 0845 988 1188.
Northumbrian Water is responsible for the maintenance of the main sewerage system within
Northumberland.
The majority of properties are connected to a drain; this is the responsibility of the property owner. Property
owners are responsible for maintaining and resolving any problems within the drains up to the boundary of
their property. If a property owner has a blocked drain, they will need to contact a plumber or drain
unblocking service to unblock it for them.
The drain is connected to a sewer usually in the street or road near the property. In most cases this will be
a public sewer; it belongs to NW and is their responsibility. If you are concerned that there may be a
blockage in the public sewer, please call 0845 717 1100 (24 hours).
The schematic below shows a typical drainage system.
Environment Agency – Community Flood Plan
2F – Actions to be taken during a flood: Northumberland County Council Sandbag Policy
Northumberland County Council does not have a statutory duty to supply sandbags to members of the public and must stress in line with
recommendations made within the Pitt Review (2008) that an emphasis should be placed upon self-reliance. The Head of Local Services
will make an informed decision as to when sandbags will be made available post receipt of a Flood Warning for a High or Medium Risk
Area.
Sandbag Collection points are identified within the Flood Action Plan. Northumberland County Council, will, when possible, deliver
sandbags to these locations however this is dependent upon the extent of flooding across the County and the availability of resources.
It is anticipated that a managed approach relating to such collection points will help to eradicate/ minimize the number of calls from the
public to the County Council.
Northumberland County Council will participate in strategic sandbagging prior to or during a flood event in partnership with the
Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service. Locations/ areas to be sandbagged will be identified at the time.
The location of Public Sandbag Collection Points can be found within the relevant Risk Data Sheets for each Flood Warning Area.
Policing or control of the Public Sandbag Collection points will be determined at the time of the event would will be dependent upon
resources available at the time. It may be possible to utilize officers from Northumbria Police or Local Flood Wardens.
It should be noted that Northumberland County Council does not respond to individual requests for sandbags from home owners it will
respond to warnings issued by partner agencies.
2G – Actions to be taken during a flood: Vulnerable residents, properties and locations
Areas of Ponteland are protected by flood defences. The Environment Agency’s Modelled Flood Outlines Plan for Ponteland indicates shows that there are some
properties that have 1 in 100 chance of flooding despite the flood defences. These are at:
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3 domestic properties on Riverside
Commercial properties south of Main Street between Brewery Lane and Callerton Lane
3 domestic properties on Woodfield.
4 domestic properties on Eland Edge
2 properties on the south side of West Road between Darras Road and Fox Covert Lane
Areas that currently receive flood warnings are:



River Pont at Kirkley Mill and Ponteland
River Pont at Fairney Edge at Ponteland
River Pont at Ponteland.
Environment Agency – Community Flood Plan
3A – After a flood:
Recovering from a flood.
Take care as there may be hidden dangers in the flood water like sharp objects, raised manhole covers and pollution.
• Flood water could have caused structural damage to your property.
• In almost all cases the insurance company will send a loss adjuster to look at your property. They will confirm what repairs and
replacements are needed and covered by your policy.
• If you rent your property, contact your landlord and your contents insurance company as soon as possible.
• If you do not have insurance, your local council should be able to provide information on hardship grants or charities that may be able to
help you.
Flood water can contain sewage, chemicals and animal waste. Always wear:
• waterproof outerwear, including gloves.
• wellington boots.
• face mask.
If your electricity supply is not already switched off at the mains, get a qualified person to do this. DO NOT touch sources of electricity when
standing in flood water.
You can get water out of your property using a pump and generator. Position the generator outside in the open air as generators produce
carbon monoxide fumes which can kill.
Only pump out water when flood levels outside your property start to be lower than inside. This reduces the risk of structural damage.
Shovel mud away evenly from both sides of a wall. This stops pressure building up on one side.
You can clean and disinfect your property using ordinary household products.
A garden hose is useful for washing down. Do not use high pressure hoses as they blast contaminated matter into the air.
If you are drying your property naturally, keep doors and windows open as much as possible. If using dehumidifiers, close external doors
and windows.
If you have gas or oil central heating and it has been checked by an engineer, turn it on. Keep the thermostat between 20-22 degrees
centigrade for steady drying.
Local councils usually provide skips and extra rubbish collections for items that your insurance company has agreed you can throw away.
Making an insurance claim
Please see document attached to this report.
Environment Agency – Community Flood Plan