17 May 2011
A ten-month project to protect 69 properties at risk of
flooding in Chew Magna, Bath & North East Somerset, has been
completed.
Capita Symonds provided flood risk advice on the £325,000
project which was funded by DEFRA and overseen by Bath and North
East Somerset Council and Chew Magna Parish Council.
The geography and conservation status of Chew Magna meant that a
flood protection scheme to protect groups of houses wasn’t possible
and therefore individual property protection was necessary. Capita
Symonds worked closely with Chew Magna Parish Council, the
Environment Agency and Bath & North East Somerset Council and
UK Flood Barriers to protect the properties most at risk.
Initially, 33 properties affected by flooding from the Winford
Brook were deemed most at risk. However, the scheme was such a
success that DEFRA extended the project to the rest of Chew
Magna.
As well as protecting the most at risk properties, the project
also increased awareness within the community of the flood risk and
encouraged them to work together to protect themselves through
their Parish Flood Warden Scheme.
This project is an example of the benefits of improved flood
water management - a direct aim of the Flood and Water Management
Act which was introduced in April 2010. The Act intends to improve
local flood risk management through actions such as improving flood
risk maps, developing a plan for management of flood and surface
water and to require the use of sustainable drainage systems
(SUDS).