Agenda Item
No.
HERTFORDSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL
HIGHWAYS AND WASTE MANAGEMENT CABINET PANEL
TUESDAY 13 MAY 2014 AT 10.00 A.M.
5
FLOODING IN HERTFORDSHIRE 2013/14 – RESPONSIBILITIES AND
RESPONSE
Report of the Chief Executive and Director of Environment
Author:
John Rumble, Head of Environmental Resource Planning
(Tel: 01992 556296)
Executive Member: Terry Douris, Highways and Waste Management
1.
Purpose of report
1.1
To inform the Panel of the flooding responsibilities of the various
agencies involved in responding to flooding incidents and to update on
the progress in investigating the most severe flooding incidents at
Christmas 2013 and February 2014 in the county.
1.2
To inform the Panel of a publicity campaign to help residents and
businesses prepare for incidents, such as extreme weather, as well as
raise awareness of different roles and responsibilities during flooding
incidents, both internally and externally.
2.
Summary
2.1
The winter of 2013/14 was the wettest in England since records began
in 1766. Although Hertfordshire was not as badly affected as parts of
the south west and south east of England, the county received
between 150-200% above average rainfall. Aquifers and groundwater
rose rapidly as ground became saturated and rivers, streams, ditches
and drainage systems struggled to cope with the extreme amount of
rainfall.
2.2
The impact in the county was localised but in places properties were
flooded, farm land inundated and roads closed. The nature of the
weather resulted in both sustained periods of flooding at certain sites
but also short term (but repeated) intense impact at other locations.
The majority of roads, land and property in the county were unaffected.
However the localised impacts of flooding were considerable and for
home and business owners that were affected extremely challenging
and disruptive.
2.3
In response to the wet weather damage to the highway network, the
County Council applied for and was successful in getting, additional
funding from Department for Transport. In total we were awarded
1
£3.6m to deal with fixing critical damage to structures, fixing critical
earthworks failures and for repairs to damaged road surfaces.
2.4
The County Council (and other agencies) have certain roles and
responsibilities around immediate and reactive response to flooding
events and also more medium term proactive responsibilities following
flooding and managing future risk. Property owners and land owners
and managers also have individual responsibility for both proactive and
reactive risk management concerning flooding.
3.
Recommendations
3.1
That the Panel notes the current responsibilities of the relevant
agencies in responding to flood incidents.
3.2
That the Panel notes the response taken by the Lead Local Flood
Authority to flooding incidents and in investigating those incidents that
occurred at Christmas 2013 and February 2014.
3.3
That the Panel notes plans for a publicity campaign to help residents
and businesses prepare for incidents, such as extreme weather, as
well as improve understanding of different roles and responsibilities
during flooding incidents, both internally and externally.
4.
Background
4.1
The Flood and Water Management Act 2010 aimed to address the
main concerns of Sir Michael Pitt’s review of the 2007 floods. The act
established upper tier authorities as Lead Local Flood Authorities
(LLFAs). LLFAs are responsible for coordinating the management of
‘local flood risk’ i.e. flooding from surface runoff, groundwater and
ordinary watercourses1. Interactions between different types of
flooding are also considered in conjunction with the Environment
Agency, which has an overview role and has primary responsibility for
flood risk from main rivers, reservoirs and the sea.
4.2
The extreme rainfall levels from late December to late February were
between 150-200% above average levels in Hertfordshire. The ground
quickly became saturated and despite rainfall events not being
particularly intense (very heavy rain in a short period of time), the sheer
quantity of rain and the extended nature of rainfall resulted in natural
and man made drainage systems being, at times and at specific
locations, unable to cope with the volumes of water.
4.3
Fluvial flooding (rivers overtopping banks) and surface water run off
were the main causes of flooding although rising and emerging
groundwater has caused localised issues. Most flooding events were
short term but in some cases roads were closed for a number of days
and medium and long term impacts from flooding of property are
considerable and very disruptive. The majority of flooding occurred in
1
Ordinary watercourse includes every river, stream, ditch, drain, cut, dyke, sluice, sewer (other than a
public sewer) which the Environment Agency has not identified as a Main River.
2
known ‘hotspots’ but other sites that have not experienced flooding or
not been flooded for a considerable time period were impacted. This
pattern reflected the extreme and unique nature of the rainfall amounts
and duration.
4.4
In Hertfordshire over 350 properties were affected by flooding (from all
sources) and of those, over 120 were flooded internally. These figures
were supplied by the Environment Agency and are estimates only.
There is no definitive way of determining an exact figure in terms of
properties affected by flooding. Only a relatively small handful of
incidents have been reported direct to the County Council.
5.
Current Flood Incident Responsibilities
5.1
The Flood and Water Management Act 2010 (FWMA) identifies certain
organisations as ‘Risk Management Authorities’ (RMAs) which have
specified responsibilities, duties and powers related to local flood risk
management. Some responsibilities are new, and others are existing
duties and powers set out in previous legislation. Table A sets out the
risk management authorities in Hertfordshire and Appendix 1 details
their specific roles and responsibilities (as set out in Hertfordshire’s
Local Flood Risk Management Strategy2 adopted by the county council
in February 2013).
Table A. Flood Risk Management Authorities (RMAs) in
Hertfordshire
FWMA designation
The Environment
Agency
2
Risk Management Authorities in
Hertfordshire
Environment Agency South East Region (North
East area)
Environment Agency Anglian Region (Central
area)
Lead Local Flood
Authority
District & Borough
councils
Hertfordshire County Council
Internal Drainage
Boards
Bedford and Ivel Internal Drainage Boards
(IDBs)
Water (and
Anglian Water Services Ltd
Broxbourne Borough Council
Dacorum Borough Council
East Hertfordshire District Council
Hertsmere Borough Council
North Hertfordshire District Council
St Albans City & District Council
Stevenage Borough Council
Three Rivers District Council
Watford Borough Council
Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council
http://www.hertsdirect.org/services/envplan/water/floods/floodrisk/lfrmsherts/
3
FWMA designation
Sewerage)
Companies
Highway Authorities
5.2
Risk Management Authorities in
Hertfordshire
Thames Water Utilities Ltd
Hertfordshire County Council
Highways Agency
All of the above mentioned risk management authorities also have a
role in responding to flooding incidents. This resilience function is
undertaken in accord with the multi-agency flood plan for Hertfordshire.
Specific responsibilities are set out in Table B.
Table B. Flood Risk Response Area for RMAs in Hertfordshire
5.3
Risk Management Authority
Flood Risk Response Area
Environment Agency
Flooding from rivers (and the
sea)
Lead local flood authority

Hertfordshire County Council
Surface water and groundwater
flooding (in its resilience
capacity).
Highway Authorities

Hertfordshire County Council

Highways Agency
Flooding on the highway
Bedford and Ivel IDB
Flooding from water bodies
within their area with the
exception of those designated
as main river.
District and Borough Councils
Flooding from an ordinary
watercourse
Water (and Sewerage) Companies

Anglian Water Services Ltd

Thames Water Utilities Ltd
Flooding from the sewer
In addition local authorities will have responsibilities under the Civil
Contingencies Act which includes the following:

The Local Resilience Forum (known locally as Hertfordshire
Resilience)

Constitutes the principal mechanism for multi-agency cooperation under the Civil Contingencies Act 2004. It is a multiagency partnership of over 80 organisations that ensures cooperation and co-ordination in the event of an emergency, as
well as establishing and promoting a more resilient county.
4


The Local Resilience Forum has identified flooding as a 'high'
risk on its Community Risk Register and also maintains a Multiagency Flood and Reservoir Inundation Plan.
Fire and Rescue Service

Following the recent flooding incidents, The Chief Fire Officers
Association (CFOA), of which CFO Roy Wilsher acts as the
National Operations Director, is in the process of revising its
position statement to read:
“That the local Fire and Rescue Service acts as the lead
agency for the co-ordination of rescue operations during
the emergency phase of the response to flooding
incidents” (subject to ratification by the CFOA Board)



Highways Authorities (including the Highways Agency)




Within Hertfordshire, the Fire and Rescue Service (HFRS) can
provide significant pumping capabilities at a local level and also
has the capability of providing and receiving High Volume
Pump assistance through the National Coordination Advisory
Framework (NCAF) arrangements.
HFRS have the capability to carry out water rescues using our
DEFRA (Type B Team) utilising equipment such as rescue
sleds and power boats along with our swift water rescue
trained personnel.
The highways authorities operating within the county have a
responsibility to maintain the highways for which they are
responsible. This includes ensuring that highway drainage
systems are clear and that blockages on the highway are
cleared where reasonably practicable It is worth noting that the
drainage systems maybe fully operational but if the ditch,
outfall or river is full, the drainage system will be chocked and
flow could back up in the system and result in surface water
flooding.
The strategy for dealing with flooding on the highway is defined
through the defect management approach. This provides the
overarching strategy for the CAT1 and CAT2 service across
Hertfordshire. During the development of this, flooding was
reviewed and the response times and actions of the authority
were scrutinised and reviewed.
The Surface Water Management Plan is currently in
development for known problem sites across the county. The
idea of this plan is to gather known information and assess and
prioritise works and to undertake schemes that provide best
value for money.
Lead Local Flood Authority
5







Hertfordshire County Council has a role as Lead Local Flood
Authority (LLFA) to co-ordinate the management of local flood
risk in the county.
As LLFA for Hertfordshire, the county council needs to
develop, maintain, apply and monitor a strategy for local flood
risk management in our area. It must also establish and
maintain a register of structures or features (such as walls or
embankments) likely to have a significant effect on flood risk in
the area, including their ownership and state of repair.
The county council has worked with other local organisations,
authorities and partners in developing a Local Flood Risk
Management Strategy (LFRMS) for Hertfordshire. The strategy
has to assess what is a locally significant flood risk and
coordinate local flood risk management activity. It focuses on
flooding from surface water, groundwater and ordinary
watercourses (a watercourse that does not form part of a main
river, such as ditches and streams). This is available to view
on hertsdirect.org.
The LLFA is not a first response team and it has no
responsibility for main rivers or flooding from main rivers, this
function remains with the Environment Agency.
Where necessary and within the parameters set out in the
LFRMS, the LLFA will carry out investigations into flooding
incidents. An investigation aims to determine the cause of
flooding, recommend actions to reduce future flood risk and
identify organisations with the powers to be able to carry out
flood risk management work where feasible.
Recommendations arising from an investigation are the
responsibly of the relevant and/or identified body to progress.
Development of schemes, including bids to the Regional Flood
and Coastal Committee for regional and national funding.
The County Council

The county council also has an advisory role and provides
information and advice for businesses and residents on
preparing for the risk of flooding on hertsdirect.org, including
links to other sources of useful information such as the
Environment Agency and district/borough councils.
6.
The Response to the Christmas 2013 and February 2014 Flooding
6.1
Several incidents of flooding either from surface water, groundwater or
from ordinary watercourses have been reported to the LLFA. To date
these have resulted in 3 formal investigations under section 19 (s19) of
the Flood and Water Management Act 2010 being commissioned.
These are concerned with the incidents at Long Marston, Tring,
Robbery Bottom Lane, Welwyn and Green Street, Chorleywood. In
addition, information is being collated on ten other reported flooding
incidents where consideration is being given as to whether a formal
s19 investigation may be required. Full details of the incidents and
6
issues reported to the Lead Local Flood Authority, as of the end of
March 2014, can be found in Appendix 3.
6.2
Hertfordshire Fire and rescue Service attended over 100 incidents
relating to flooding between 7 February and 28 February 2014. The
majority of these attendances occurred over the weekend of the 7 th, 8th
and 9th of February. A summary table showing the number of incidents
attended by property type is provided below.
Property Type
House
Bungalow
Flat / Maisonette
Self Contained Sheltered Housing
Offices and Call Centres
Food & Drink
Other Building (use not known)
Road Vehicle
Private Garden / Allotment
Road Rail or Riverbank Vegetation
Other Outdoor Location
Total
Total
82
1
5
1
1
2
1
2
1
2
3
101
6.3
There was disruption to many Hertfordshire roads as a result of
flooding incidents on the Highway during February. This ranged from
full and partial road closures to problems with highways drainage and
vehicles being stuck in flooded fords. A list of the full and partial road
closures in the county on the 7th February and the 18th February is
included in Appendix 5 to this report.
6.4
Incidents of flooding from main rivers occurred on the Rivers Colne,
Lee, Rib and Ash. The Colne came out of its banks in the vicinity of
Lower High Street in Watford with significant disruption caused to the
local area, transport routes and businesses. Internal flooding of
properties was minimal. The Lee came out of its banks and exceeded
the available flood storage areas in the centre of Hertford. This
resulted in a number of flooded properties, both business and
residential as well as the overnight evacuation of residential properties
due to both flooding and the need to cut off power supplies. The Rib
came out of its banks due to a collapsed wall at Puckeridge,
approximately 50 properties were affected, many suffering internal
flooding. The Ash flooded at Little Hadham and Hadham Cross with
several properties suffering significant internal flooding.
6.5
Eight bids have been submitted to the Thames Regional Flood &
Coastal Committee (RFCC) for consideration as part of the annual
round of bids for regional Flood and Coastal Risk Management Grant
in Aid funding. These are as follows:

Surface water/fluvial interaction flooding on key routes in Watford
7







Surface water flooding of roads and properties in Long Marston
and the surrounding area
Surface water flooding in vicinity of High Street, Harpenden
Surface water flooding in the vicinity of Darkes Lane, Potters Bar
The effect of surface water drainage of rivers in flood or near flood
condition in Hertford
Edge of settlement surface water flooding at various locations
across the county
Surface water flooding in London Colney
Surface water flooding in Rickmansworth
6.6
This bidding round was completed at the end of March 2014 following
notice that it was being moved forward by government to 28 March
from the end of May 2014. A fuller description of each of these bids
and the costs associated with them can be found in Appendix 4.
7.
Raising awareness of roles and responsibilities
7.1
With various agencies having different roles and responsibilities before,
during and after flooding incidents, it is understandable that this will
cause confusion.
7.2
The communications team is working with Resilience and Environment
officers to develop a publicity campaign. The campaign’s main focus
will be general resilience advice to help residents and businesses
prepare for flooding incidents, but it is also an opportunity to promote
understanding of flooding roles and responsibilities.
7.3
The campaign will:




Help residents and businesses understand their roles and
responsibilities in preparing for potentially disruptive incidents, such
as those arising from extreme weather events.
Help residents and businesses to prepare for these potential
incidents.
Provide guidance to colleagues, partners and the public on
different roles and responsibilities before, during and after a
flooding incident.
Clarify the county council’s responsibilities as Lead Local Flood
Authority.
7.4
It is anticipated that the campaign will launch during the summer of
2014.
8.
Financial Implications
8.1
There are no additional financial implications arising from this report.
8.2
The County Council is currently in receipt of £540k of funding to directly
support the new responsibilities falling to it as Lead Local Flood
Authority. Any additional funding for flood alleviation schemes has to
be secured via annual bidding processes to the relevant Regional
8
Flood and Coastal Committee’s (RFCC’s). Hertfordshire can put
forward schemes for funding consideration to the two RFCC’s
operating within its administrative area, those for the Thames and
Anglian (central) regions. These bids are required to meet the relevant
criteria to qualify for funding support which is from two main pots, either
national Flood Defence Grant in Aid (government funding) or the
Regional Levy (local authority contributions). Hertfordshire county
council currently contributes £842.6K per annum to the Thames RFCC
and £64k per annum to the Anglian (Central) RFCC. For the next
funding round the county council has submitted seven bids to the
Thames RFCC for consideration, see appendix 4 for details of these
bids.
8.3
In response to the extensive flooding in England over last winter the
Government put in place 4 main grant aid/funding streams to promote
and support recovery;




Business Support Scheme.
The offer of Council Tax discounts.
The offer of Business Rate relief.
The awarding of Repair & Renewal Grants.
8.4
The council tax and business rate relief schemes are being handled by
the district and borough councils as the relevant billing authorities.
Likewise a number of the district and boroughs are promoting and
managing any claims under the repair and renew scheme but claims
are anticipated to be minimal and in some areas where flooding was
not a significant issue (e.g. Stevenage, Broxbourne, Hertsmere and
Dacorum) there has been no requirement to promote the schemes.
8.5
It is possible that subsequent to the outcome of a s19 flood
investigation the repair and renewal grant may offer a source of
funding. If that is the case residents and / or businesses will be
advised accordingly.
8.6
In addition there is a business support scheme aimed at the farming
and fishing industries and this is considered to not be relevant for
Hertfordshire.
Background Information
Local Flood Risk Management Strategy for Hertfordshire, February 2014,
Hertfordshire County Council.
http://www.hertsdirect.org/services/envplan/water/floods/floodrisk/lfrmsherts/
9
Appendix 1
Responsibilities of Risk Management Authorities
A1.1 Hertfordshire County Council
Hertfordshire County Council as the Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA) has
an important role to play as the strategic leader for local flood risk
management in Hertfordshire. This involves developing the Local Flood Risk
Management Strategy document, ensuring that all organisations involved in
flood risk management are aware of their responsibilities, monitoring progress
and activity by all parties involved in flood risk management and co-ordinating
communication with the public and between organisations.
As LLFA the county council has a range of duties which includes:






Preparing reports and plans to meet the requirements of the Flood Risk
Regulations 2009 (FRR).
Carrying out investigations of flooding where appropriate and publishing
reports (section 19 investigations).
Keeping a public register and associated record of structures and
features which have a significant effect on local flood risk.
The designation of flood risk structures and features where appropriate.
The regulation of ordinary watercourses outside of areas covered by
Internal Drainage Boards.
Establishment of a Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) Approval Body
(SAB). This will come into effect upon the commencement of Schedule 2
of the F&WM Act 2010.
In addition the authority has incidental powers which allow it to carry out
practical works to manage flood risk from surface water and groundwater.
Hertfordshire County Council also has a number of other roles that relate to
flood risk management; these include:




Highways Authority – management of the majority of roads in the county
and their associated drainage.
Planning Authority - the county council is the planning authority for
minerals and waste development together with its own projects e.g.
school sites. The authority produces a Strategic Flood Risk Assessment
(SFRA) to support the Minerals and Waste Plan.
Emergency Planning – the authority is a category one responder under
the civil contingencies act and the role is set out in the Multi Agency Flood
Plan.
Historical and Natural Environment - maintenance of databases which are
shared with other authorities. The information is relevant to planning of
practical works and assessing of potential for environmental impacts.
A1.2 Environment Agency
The Environment Agency has a role in flood risk management both as a
national strategic body and also more locally operating as a Risk
Management Authority (RMA) at a catchment and area level. Aspects of the
strategic role that are relevant are:
10







Using strategic plans like the Catchment Flood Management Plan
(CFMP) and the Shoreline Management Plan to set the direction for Flood
Risk Management.
Collation and review of the assessments, plans and maps that LLFAs
produce to meet the Flood Risk Regulations 2009.
Providing the data, information and tools to inform government policy and
aid risk management authorities in delivering their responsibilities.
Supporting collaboration, knowledge-building and sharing of good
practice including provision of capacity-building schemes such as trainee
schemes and officer training.
Managing the Regional Flood and Coastal Committees (RFCCs) and
supporting their decisions in allocating funding for flood defence and flood
resilience schemes.
Monitoring activity and reporting on flood and coastal erosion risk
management.
Providing grants to RMAs to support the implementation of their incidental
flooding or environmental powers.
The Environment Agency’s local role as an RMA is relevant in the following
areas:






Managing flooding from main rivers and reservoirs.
Communication about flood risk warnings to the public, the media and to
partner organisations.
Supporting communities to be flood resilient through sharing best practice
and provision of information.
Advising on the planning process.
Input to emergency planning, multi-agency flood plans, which are
developed by local resilience forums.
Bringing forward flood defence schemes through the RFCCs, working with
LLFAs and local communities to shape schemes which respond to local
priorities.
A1.3 District and Borough Councils
The District and Borough Councils have a flood risk management function
relating to ordinary watercourses and in addition have a range of functions
which are relevant to the Local Flood Risk Management, these include:




As planning authorities, the district councils prepare a local plan to guide
development. Flood risk is taken into account based on a Strategic Flood
Risk Assessment which must consider flood risk from all forms of
flooding.
Under the Flood and Water Management Act 2010 (FWMA), district
councils have the powers to carry out works to reduce flood risk and to
manage flooding from ordinary watercourses.
Activity relating to powers under the Land Drainage Act 1991 to make
bylaws relating to ordinary watercourses
District authorities own and manage public spaces which, may already,
and could potentially perform a flood risk management function
11

District authorities have responsibilities for emergency planning as a
responder under the Civil Contingencies Act and this role is outlined in the
Multi Agency Flood Plan.
A1.4 Internal Drainage Boards
In addition to the universal responsibilities under the FWMA, Internal
Drainage Boards (IDBs) have the following new responsibilities:




A power to designate structures and features that affect flooding.
A duty to act consistently with local and national strategies.
The regulation of ordinary watercourses within the IDB district area.
As statutory consultees to the SuDS approval process where proposed
drainage systems will involve discharge of water into an ordinary
watercourse in an IDB’s district.
A1.5 Water Companies
There are two types of water companies serving Hertfordshire. Affinity Water
Central is a water supply company, while Anglian Water and Thames Water
are water and sewerage companies providing both water supply and
wastewater services.
Water Supply Companies
Water supply companies are not RMAs and do not have the same obligations
to co-operate and be subject to scrutiny by the LLFA. However, like all
persons, they will be required to provide information related to flood risk to
Hertfordshire County Council and the Environment Agency. They will also be
affected by the change to the Reservoirs Act 1975.
Water and Sewerage Companies
Water and sewerage companies have the following responsibilities around
flood risk management:









Respond to flooding incidents involving their assets.
Maintenance of a register of properties at risk of flooding due to a
hydraulic overload in the sewerage network (DG5 register).
Undertake capacity improvements to alleviate sewer flooding problems on
the DG5 register.
Provide, maintain and operate systems of public sewers and works for the
purpose of effectually draining an area.
Have a duty to co-operate with other relevant authorities in the exercise of
their flood and coastal erosion risk management functions.
Must have a regard to national and local flood and coastal erosion risk
management strategies.
May be subject to scrutiny from LLFAs’ democratic processes.
Have a duty for the adoption of private sewers.
Statutory consultee to the SAB when the drainage system is proposed to
communicate with the public sewer.
12
A1.6 Highways Agency
The Highways Agency is an Executive Agency of the Department for
Transport (DfT), and is responsible for operating, maintaining and improving
the strategic road network in England on behalf of the Secretary of State for
Transport. It acts as the Highways Authority for a number of major highways
in Hertfordshire and is responsible for the maintenance of the following
motorways and trunk roads in Hertfordshire:






M1 - Junction 4 – Junction 10.
M25 - Junction 16 – Herts /Essex border (managed by Connect Plus).
A1(M) - Junction 1 – Junction 10.
A5 - M1 Junction 9 – Bedfordshire Border.
A414 from the M1 Junction 8 to A405 at St. Albans.
A405 between M1 J6 and M25 J21a
The roads mentioned in the list belong to Area 5 (Connect Plus Services)
(with the exception of M1 J8-10, A1(M) J6-10 and A5).
The M25 is in the Highways Agency’s Area 5 the other roads are in Area 8.
As a Highways Authority, the Highways Agency has the same obligation to
co-operate on flood risk issues as the other RMAs. It also has the following
responsibilities under other legislation:




Responsibility to maintain the highways, which includes ensuring that
highway drainage systems are clear and that blockages on the highway
are cleared, where reasonably practicable.
Powers to deliver works considered necessary to protect the highway
from flooding.
Highway Authorities may divert parts of a watercourse or carry out any
other works on any form of watercourse if it is necessary for the
construction, improvement or alteration of the highway or provides a new
means of access to any premises from a highway.
Adoption of SuDS on its property as the SuDS Approval Body (SAB) has
no obligation to adopt any part of a drainage system which is a publiclymaintained road. If it is on a Highways Agency road, the Highways
Agency is expected to adopt and maintain the part of the drainage system
on its property in accordance with the approved proposals and the
National Standards for sustainable drainage.
13
Appendix 2
How to report flood incidents in Hertfordshire
Flood type
Responsible authority
Flood emergency
If flooding is causing a risk to life and/or
property ring 999 or look at HCC’s emergencies
webpage:
http://www.hertsdirect.org/contact/emergencies/
Flooding from roads
HCC, Highways/Roads and Environment:
www.hertsdirect.org/highwayfaults
Flooding from sewers
The relevant water and sewerage companies
for Hertfordshire:

Thames Water: 0845 9200 800

Anglian Water: 08457 145 145
Flooding from private drains
Private drains are the responsibility of the
homeowner/occupier. Your local water
company or drainage contractors will fix the
damage for a fee.
Flooding from burst water
main
The water supply companies for Hertfordshire:

Affinity: 0845 782 3333

Thames Water: 0845 9200 800

Anglian Water: 08457 145 145
Flooding from a river
Environment Agency:
Floodline: 0845 988 1188
Flooding from an IDB
controlled water body
Bedford and Ivel Internal Drainage Board:
The Board’s priorities during flooding are:




ensuring the Board’s systems are working
efficiently;
protection of people and residential
properties;
protection of commercial properties; and
protection of agricultural land and
ecologically sensitive sites.
The Board provides a 24 hour contact number
(07764 239891) and during severe
emergencies operates extended office hours.
Flooding in your home
Any flood damage in a home is the
responsibility of the homeowner/occupier. If
the flooding is from one of the sources above
(except private drains) then you should contact
the relevant organisation.
14
Flood type
Responsible authority
Surface water flooding from
an unidentified source
HCC General enquiries: 0300 123 4040
15
Appendix 3
2013/14 Flooding Issues reported to the County
Council as Lead Local Flood Authority for
Hertfordshire
Under the governing legislation of the Flood and Water Management Act
2010 the Flood Risk Management Team at Hertfordshire County Council is
undertaking its duties to assess and where necessary investigate incidents
arsing from the recent flooding between December 2013 and February 2014.
Section 19 Flood Investigations
As required under section 19 of the Flood and Water Management Act 2010
Hertfordshire County Council as Lead Local Flood Authority, on becoming
aware of a flood in its area, must, to the extent that it considers it necessary
or appropriate:





investigate the incident;
identify the Risk Management Authorities3 (RMAs) with relevant flood risk
management functions;
establish if the relevant functions have been exercised or if it is proposed
to exercise them;
publish its findings in a Flood Investigation Report;
consult and inform the relevant Risk Management Authorities of its
findings.
The criteria for assessing whether a section 19 investigation is required is set
out in procedure 2 of the Local Flood Risk Management Strategy. This states
Investigation of flooding events will be carried out:


In situations where there is uncertainty as to the source of flooding and
the organisation with primary responsibility for resolving it.
All cases of internal domestic flooding will be recorded and a basic
investigation carried out.
The criteria to be considered in assessing whether a detailed investigation is
required is as follows:






In the case where internal flooding has occurred at a property on more
than one occasion in a ten year period.
Where internal flooding of five or more properties has occurred during
one flooding incident.
Where internal flooding of a business property has occurred during one
flooding incident.
Where external flooding of land adjacent to a property has occurred more
than five times in a 10 year period.
Where a critical service has been affected by flooding.
Where roads (excluding fords) and railways have been impassable for in
excess of 10 hours.
3
Designated Risk Management Authorities are: the County Council, District and Borough Councils;
Highways Authorities; The Environment Agency; Internal Drainage Boards and water companies.
16

Where flooding potentially posed immediate, direct and real risk to life.
As of the end of March 2014 the following Section 19 Flood Investigations
have been commissioned (these have met the criteria as set out above):



Green Street, Chorleywood- flooding of Green Street which is a main
route into Chorleywood and main bus route for the local school.
Robbery Bottom Lane, Welwyn- (x houses).
Long Marston Nr Tring - internal property flooding (x houses).
The following reported flood incidents may not meet the criteria for a formal
Section 19 Investigation (or a s19 investigation has been declined) but are
subject to investigation:










Hunsdon – single property flooded (on more than one occasion).
Little Wymondley - flooding of main high street. Confirmed internal
flooding at five properties, four residential one business.
London Colney - flooding of cricket ground and associated business
premises
Whitwell Village - report of up to 3 properties with internal flooding.
Derwent Road, Harpenden- report of 1 property flooded.
Lower High Street, Watford – flooding from both surface water and the
river Colne reported on two separate occasions in this area
Oakhurst Avenue, Harpenden - At least one property flooded.
Redbourn – Confirmation of 3 internal flooding incidents.
Knebworth – Confirmed one property with internal flooding.
Hemel Hempstead – internal property flooding at up to 2 properties from a
yet to be identified source.
Relevant Enforcement Activity
The Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA) has powers to enforce any works that
contravene relevant legislation. This includes works affecting flow within
certain watercourses without consent, non compliance of a consent and lack
of maintenance of a watercourse.
Current assessments where enforcement may be necessary following
flooding incidents:






Hitchin, Ash Brook at Brook View.
Marshmoor Lane, Welham Green.
Barkway Village.
Pirton Village, Blacksmith's Pond.
Little Wymondley
Dassels, East Herts
Any identified problems in any of these locations may then be subject to
discussions with relevant land owners, if these are not successful resolved
they could result in HCC taking legal action to require remedial action to take
place.
17
Groundwater Issues


Kimpton, North Hertfordshire
Cow Roast, Tring
At present the responsibility of the LLFA is to monitor these groundwater
issues, any emergency action to deal with problems arising from groundwater
flooding would fall to the relevant resilience team to co-ordinate.
18
Appendix 4
Hertfordshire County Council Bids for Submission to Thames RFCC Medium Term Plan March 2014
The table below summarises candidate schemes which have been submitted to the Thames RFCC for Consideration for inclusion in the
Medium term Plan.
Issue
District
Impacts
Outcome Measures
Proposals
Costs
Surface water
/fluvial
interaction
flooding key
routes in
Watford
Watford /
Hertsmere
Closure of number of
routes through central
Watford due to what is
believed to be interaction
between surface water
and high river levels
impeding drainage.
Access to a number of
businesses is directly and
indirectly affected. Water
Lane and A411 have
been closed on at least 3
occasions in the past 12
years.
OM1 – costs of
congestion in excess of
50,000 vehicle
movements per day
affected, direct impact on
at least 7 businesses,
costs of managing and
impacts and clear up.
Working in partnership with
the Environment Agency to
examine potential for
strategic solution.
Initial study
£50 -100K
Surface water
flooding of
Dacorum
These and other key
routes were closed for a
period of time 07/02/14
causing considerable
disruption in Watford.
Flat poorly draining area
in the west of
OM2 limited direct impact
on residential property
there are some properties
in the vicinity potential
benefit to flood risk
dependant on scope of
any proposals. Scheme
justification will be on
OM1 impacts on
infrastructure and
businesses.
OM1 disruption to local
businesses, damage to
Detailed modelling to
understand flooding
mechanism and interaction
between surface water,
watercourses, highway
drainage and sewers.
Potential Scheme costs
unlikely to be less than
£500K and upper level
ceiling would be defined
through cost benefit
calculations.
Some local measures such
as storage and pumping
already in place but are not
effective under all
conditions.
Follow up ongoing section
19 investigations to develop
Initial study
£50K
19
Issue
District
roads and
properties in
Long Marston
and
surrounding
area
Harpenden,
surface water
flooding in
vicinity of High
Street
St Albans
Impacts
Outcome Measures
Proposals
Hertfordshire on the edge
of the Vale of Aylesbury.
Roads and properties
have flooded on a
number of occasions in
the
road infrastructure
a hydraulic model for the
interaction between surface
water, watercourses
(including main river) and
the influence of canals and
associated reservoirs.
Areas of potential flood
risk have been identified
along the line of the High
Street through modelling
work carried out for
development of a Surface
Water Management Plan.
OM1 number of
businesses affected
directly and indirectly
OM2 upwards of 10
properties flooded
07/02/14
OM2 150 properties
within 1% flood outline on
latest version of surface
water flood map
(uFMfSW 2013)
A scheme was proposed to
provide linked attenuation
for 4 sub catchments. This
approach was not found to
be favourable at pre
feasibility as detailed
integrated modelling and
scheme costing
demonstrated costs would
out way benefits. The
proposals need to be
revisited to determine if
there is a feasible approach
for flood risk reduction
locally in the sub
catchments or by providing
attenuation higher up the
catchment.
Costs
Anticipated that this will
inform priorities for
management of existing
infrastructure but may
require control
structures on or
improvements to
watercourses.
Initial study £25 – 50K
Cost benefit would limit
total scheme costs to a
ceiling of £600K
20
Issue
District
Impacts
Outcome Measures
Proposals
Costs
Darkes Lane
Potters Bar
Hertsmere
There have been 11
major flooding incidents
recorded since 1987,
which equates to surface
water flooding on
average once every 2
years.
OM1 and OM2 internal
and external flooding to
120 commercial and
residential properties in
the Darkes Lane area of
Potters Bar.
Confirm flooding
mechanism which may be
linked to hydraulic
incapacity in culverted
watercourses. Potential for
a storage scheme
underneath a public car
park.
To complement work
proposed by the
Environment Agency and
carry out a surface water
study to better understand
hydraulic dependencies of
surface water drainage on
fluvial systems and what
combination of events may
lead to significant surface
water flooding events.
Interim results from sect 19
Flood investigations will
inform relative feasibility of
external schemes or
property level protection for
each group of houses that
have been flooded
Initial study
£25 – 50K
Hertford
East Herts
Surface water drainage
being affected by rivers in
flood or near flood
condition.
OM1 and OM2
businesses and
properties directly
affected potential for
significant disruption to
A414.
Edge of
settlement
flooding
Various
locations
across the
county
Water running of large
saturated farmed
catchments into villages
and areas on the fringes
of larger settlements
OM1 at least 3 business
affected directly
OM2 at least 50
residential properties
affected in 10 confirmed
locations
Scheme costs unlikely
to be less than £200K
Initial study
£50 -100K
Property level protection
will be addressed
through schemes
currently offered by
government as this will
allow measures to be
put in place in a shorter
timescale than funding
21
Issue
District
Impacts
Outcome Measures
London Colney
St Albans
Surface water flooding
OM1 and OM2
Rickmansworth
Three
Rivers
Surface water flooding
OM1 and OM2
Proposals
Surface Water study to
complement fluvial study
proposed by Environment
Agency
Surface Water study to
complement fluvial study
proposed by Environment
Agency
Costs
through FDGiA.
External group schemes
would be limited by cost
benefit to order of £80 –
100K
Initial study
£25 – 50K
Initial study
£25 – 50K
22
Appendix 5
Date
07/02/14
07/02/14
07/02/14
07/02/14
07/02/14
07/02/14
07/02/14
07/02/14
07/02/14
07/02/14
07/02/14
Full and Partial Road Closures as recorded on the 7 and 18 February 2014
Location
Road
Complete Road
Closure/Restrictions
/Diversions
Lower High St, Watford
A-Road
X
Waterfields Way, Watford
A-Road
X
Water Lane, Watford
A-Road
X
Harefield Road, Rickmansworth
A-Road
X
Coopers Green Lane, St Albans
B-Road
X
Park Road, Rickmansworth
A-Road
X
Station Road, Welham Green
Partial
Closure/1 lane
closed
Dacorum, Three
Rivers & Watford
Dacorum, Three
Rivers & Watford
Dacorum, Three
Rivers & Watford
Dacorum, Three
Rivers & Watford
St Albans, Hertsmere
& Welwyn Hatfield
Dacorum, Three
Rivers & Watford
St Albans, Hertsmere
& Welwyn Hatfield
Dacorum, Three
Rivers & Watford
Dacorum, Three
Rivers & Watford
Dacorum, Three
Rivers & Watford
Dacorum, Three
Rivers & Watford
X
A4008 Stevenson Way, Watford
A-Road
X
A4146 Leighton Buzzard Road,
Dacorum
A-Road
X
A5 Markyate
A-Road
X
Primrose Hill, Hemel Hemstead
A-Road
X
M1 Watford
A-Road
X
Dacorum, Three
Rivers & Watford
M25 St Albans
A-Road
X
St Albans, Hertsmere
& Welwyn Hatfield
A600 Bedford Road, Hitchin
A-Road
07/02/14
07/02/14
07/02/14
District
X
North Herts &
Stevenage
Notes
Duration of restrictions unknown. Delays Expected
Duration of restrictions unknown. Delays Expected
Duration of restrictions unknown. Delays Expected
Duration of restrictions unknown. Delays Expected
Duration of restrictions unknown. Delays Expected.
Emergency services in Attendence
Duration of restrictions unknown. Delays Expected.
Emergency services in Attendence
Duration of restrictions unknown. Delays Expected.
Emergency services in Attendence
Duration of restrictions unknown. Delays Expected.
Emergency services in Attendence
Duration of restrictions unknown. Delays Expected.
Emergency services in Attendance
Duration of restrictions unknown. Delays Expected.
Emergency services in Attendance
Duration of restrictions unknown. Delays Expected.
Emergency services in Attendance
- 1 lane closed S/bound @ J5. Duration of
restrictions unknown. Delays Expected. Emergency
services in Attendance
anti clockwise - 1 lane closed @ J21 A405.
Duration of restrictions unknown. Delays Expected.
Emergency services in Attendance
Duration of restrictions unknown. Delays Expected.
Emergency services in Attendance
23
Date
07/02/14
07/02/14
07/02/14
07/02/14
07/02/14
07/02/14
07/02/14
07/02/14
07/02/14
07/02/14
07/02/14
07/02/14
07/02/14
07/02/14
Location
A602 Stevenage Road, Little
Wymondley
B181 Roydon Road, Stanstead
Abbotts
B487 Hemel Hempstead Road,
Redbourn
B651 High Street, Sandridge
Road
Complete Road
Closure/Restrictions
/Diversions
A-Road
X
B-Road
X
B-Road
X
B-Road
X
Tring Road, Long Marston
Gresley Way, Stevenage
X
B-Road
Railway Terrace, Kings Langley
A120 - Both directions
X
X
Partial
Closure/1 lane
closed
District
Notes
North Herts &
Stevenage
East Herts &
Broxbourne
Dacorum, Three
Rivers & Watford
St Albans, Hertsmere
& Welwyn Hatfield
Dacorum, Three
Rivers & Watford
North Herts &
Stevenage
Dacorum, Three
Rivers & Watford
Duration of restrictions unknown. Delays Expected.
Emergency services in Attendance
Duration of restrictions unknown. Delays Expected.
Emergency services in Attendance
Duration of restrictions unknown. Delays Expected.
Emergency services in Attendance
Duration of restrictions unknown. Delays Expected.
Emergency services in Attendance
Duration of restrictions unknown. Delays Expected.
Emergency services in Attendance
Duration of restrictions unknown. Delays Expected.
Emergency services in Attendance
Duration of restrictions unknown. Delays Expected.
Emergency services in Attendance
Duration of restrictions unknown. Delays Expected.
Emergency services in Attendance
A-Road
X
Mix
Diversion: A1174, B1000,
A1170, A1170 Ware High Street
and B1004
A602 Hooks Cross/ Bragbury
End Diversion: B197 Monkswood
Way South, A1000 WGC and
B195 Black Fan Road
Mixture
X
Mix
Duration of restrictions unknown. Delays Expected.
Emergency services in Attendance
A-Road
X
East Herts &
Broxbourne
Duration of restrictions unknown. Delays Expected.
Emergency services in Attendance
Mixture
X
Mix
Duration of restrictions unknown. Delays Expected.
Emergency services in Attendance
A507 at Clothall Road Baldock
A-Road
X
A10 - Puckeridge
A-Road
X
Lower Hatfield Road, Essendon
B-Road
X
North Herts &
Stevenage
East Herts &
Broxbourne
St Albans, Hertsmere
& Welwyn Hatfield
Duration of restrictions unknown. Delays Expected.
Emergency services in Attendance
Duration of restrictions unknown. Delays Expected.
Emergency services in Attendance
Duration of restrictions unknown. Delays Expected.
Emergency services in Attendance
24
Date
Location
Road
Complete Road
Closure/Restrictions
/Diversions
Old Knebworth Lane, Stevenage
B-Road
Burymead, Stevenage
District
Notes
X
North Herts &
Stevenage
Duration of restrictions unknown. Significant Delays
expected as a number of routes are impassible.
Emergency services in Attendance
B-Road
X
North Herts &
Stevenage
Duration of restrictions unknown. Significant Delays
expected as a number of routes are impassible.
Emergency services in Attendance
Coopers Green Lane, Hatfield
B-Road
X
St Albans, Hertsmere
& Welwyn Hatfield
Duration of restrictions unknown. Significant Delays
expected as a number of routes are impassable.
Emergency services in Attendance
Colney Heath Lane, St Albans
A-Road
X
St Albans, Hertsmere
& Welwyn Hatfield
Duration of restrictions unknown. Significant Delays
expected as a number of routes are impassable.
Emergency services in Attendance
Sandpit Lane, St Albans
B-Road
X
St Albans, Hertsmere
& Welwyn Hatfield
Duration of restrictions unknown. Significant Delays
expected as a number of routes are impassable.
Emergency services in Attendance
Shenley Road, London Colney
A-Road
X
St Albans, Hertsmere
& Welwyn Hatfield
Duration of restrictions unknown. Significant Delays
expected as a number of routes are impassable.
Emergency services in Attendance
C171 Stevenage Road, Little
Wymondley
C-Road
X
North Herts &
Stevenage
Duration of restrictions unknown. Significant Delays
expected as a number of routes are impassable.
Emergency services in Attendance
Green Street, Chorleywood
A-Road
X
Coppermill Lane,
Rickmansworth
A-Road
X
St Marys Lane Hertford
B-Road
X
Warren Lane, Braughing - Land
slide
A-Road
X
Blakemore End, Kimpton
B-Road
X
Hitchwood Lane, Preston
B-Road
X
07/02/14
07/02/14
07/02/14
07/02/14
07/02/14
07/02/14
07/02/14
18/02/14
18/02/14
18/02/14
18/02/14
18/02/14
18/02/14
Partial
Closure/1 lane
closed
Dacorum, Three
Rivers & Watford
Dacorum, Three
Rivers & Watford
East Herts &
Broxbourne
East Herts &
Broxbourne
North Herts &
Stevenage
North Herts &
Stevenage
Road Closure still required
Road Closure still required
Road Closure still required
Road Closure still required
Road Closure still required
Road Closure still required
25
Date
18/02/14
18/02/14
18/02/14
18/02/14
18/02/14
18/02/14
18/02/14
18/02/14
18/02/14
18/02/14
18/02/14
18/02/14
18/02/14
18/02/14
18/02/14
18/02/14
18/02/14
Location
Road
Complete Road
Closure/Restrictions
/Diversions
Hitchin Road, Stevenage
(Subway)
A-Road
X
Porters End Lane Kimpton
X
Watton Road, Stevenage
B-Road
X
Sandpit Lane, St Albans
B-Road
X
Mackerye End Harpenden
B-Road
X
Green Lanes Hatfield
B-Road
X
Bushey Hall Road, Bushey
B-Road
X
Bushey Mill Lane, Watford
A-Road
X
Walkern Road, Luffenhall (Other
side of Walkern)
Watton Road, Stevenage
X
B-Road
Mackerye End Harpenden
X
X
A411 Lower High Street Watford
A-Road
Moor Lane, Rickmansworth
A-Road
X
X
Water End Lane
Wheathampstead (Lemsford)
X
Old Knebworth Lane, Stevenage
X
Beane Road, Hertford
X
Cappell Lane, Stanstead
Partial
Closure/1 lane
closed
B-Road
X
District
North Herts &
Stevenage
North Herts &
Stevenage
North Herts &
Stevenage
St Albans, Hertsmere
& Welwyn Hatfield
St Albans, Hertsmere
& Welwyn Hatfield
St Albans, Hertsmere
& Welwyn Hatfield
St Albans, Hertsmere
& Welwyn Hatfield
Dacorum, Three
Rivers & Watford
North Herts &
Stevenage
North Herts &
Stevenage
St Albans, Hertsmere
& Welwyn Hatfield
Dacorum, Three
Rivers & Watford
Dacorum, Three
Rivers & Watford
St Albans, Hertsmere
& Welwyn Hatfield
North Herts &
Stevenage
East Herts &
Broxbourne
East Herts &
Notes
Road Closure still required
Road Closure still required
Road Closure still required
Road Closure still required
Road Closure still required
Road Closure still required
Road Closure still required
Now Open and passable
Now Open and passable
Road Closure still required
Road Closure still required
One Lane of two open
Road now reopen
Road now reopen
Road now reopen
Road now reopen
Road now reopen
26
Date
18/02/14
18/02/14
18/02/14
18/02/14
18/02/14
18/02/14
18/02/14
18/02/14
18/02/14
18/02/14
18/02/14
18/02/14
18/02/14
18/02/14
Location
Abbotts
A41 Colne way dome
roundabout and J5, Watford,
diversion set up via St Albans
Road - Beechen Grove Stephensons Way - Police
approved & aware.
Horns Mills Lane Hertford
Road
Complete Road
Closure/Restrictions
/Diversions
District
Notes
Broxbourne
Mixture
X
B-Road
X
Sandridgebury Lane, St Albans
X
Longcroft Lane, Hemel
X
Plough Roundabout Subway,
Hemel
X
Wood Lane End, Hemel
X
Shephards Way, Hatfield
B-Road
X
Lower Road, Nash Mills
B-Road
X
Picknage Road, Barley
B-Road
X
Watery Lane, Tring
X
Langley Lane Langley
X
Bank Mill Lane, Berkhamstead
X
A414 Park Street Roundabout
Subway
Hitchin Road, Stevenage
(Subway)
Partial
Closure/1 lane
closed
X
A-Road
X
Mix
East Herts &
Broxbourne
St Albans, Hertsmere
& Welwyn Hatfield
Dacorum, Three
Rivers & Watford
Dacorum, Three
Rivers & Watford
Dacorum, Three
Rivers & Watford
St Albans, Hertsmere
& Welwyn Hatfield
Dacorum, Three
Rivers & Watford
North Herts &
Stevenage
Dacorum, Three
Rivers & Watford
Dacorum, Three
Rivers & Watford
Dacorum, Three
Rivers & Watford
St Albans, Hertsmere
& Welwyn Hatfield
North Herts &
Stevenage
Road Closed
Road Closed
Road Closed
Road Closed
Road Closed. Pedestrian crossing and footbridge
available to pass safely
Swallow Hole
Road Closed
Open
Open
Open
Majority of the road is now open
Tree removed - road now open
Now open - lot of silt but passable
Now open
27
28