Alconbury Brook Flood Group Report August 2023

EA flood alleviation scheme. Good news that the long-awaited model has been released by the modelling company. Once its checked, the options and combination of options will be tested. We hope to have more information about the model in the next edition including how closely it matches the lived experience of our communities. The option modelling will last until January.

Green-Blue Rainwater Garden Project: A visit from a member of the GreenBlue team was very beneficial. We have a better understanding of what needs to be done, how it will be done and who will do the work. We also, now understand the process to set this project in motion. It is likely that work will not be able to start until early Autumn but planning is in hand. (photo of meeting )

Alconbury Weston Pond: Planning permission has been granted but conditional on a full scale archaeological survey. This will be an expensive addition and will cause delays. Planning permission has taken 10 months and the archaeology condition was added at the last moment. To say we are disappointed would be an understatement however resilience is a necessary attribute for flood groups! If you know a reasonably priced chartered archaeologist, let us know!!

Harts Pond: Outline and costing approved by the Hunts and Beds Wildlife Trust. Next steps are farmer and landowner consent. We hope this work will take place mid-October. We will need help from volunteers to clear on 2 sides of the pond before work can commence.

Meander adaption- EA officer (thanks to him) appointed to help us with the application is now satisfied that our pre-submission is satisfactory and meets the necessary requirements. Work on this is likely in November and will have to be done entirely by hand. Debbie will be asking for volunteers.

Charity Registration: The Flood Group Charity is now registered which gives us the advantage of being a legal entity. Our Charity number is 1204246.

Nitrate measurement: Volunteers have been collecting water samples from the brook to measure various chemicals. This will allow us to track water flow and sediment from upstream. Currently, nitrate levels are nearly three times higher at Alconbury Ford compared to Hamerton and Gidding.

Debris in the brook at Hinchingbrooke Country Park is still there despite our request that it be removed. A campaign of letter writing will commence shortly.

Herbal Ley Project: Excellent progress, first areas will be seeded with deep rooted plants in September at Cowpastures Farm in Gidding and on an allotment in Alconbury. Progress will be recorded on a YouTube channel. Testing of the plots has already been going on for some time, but there will be an opportunity for volunteers to do some soil measurements in the autumn. Soil moisture and rainfall will be measured automatically using our sensor system.

Sensor Project: The FG has applied for funding from the Cambridgeshire Community Foundation to support the purchase of additional sensors and the dissemination of the information collected to the Community. The real time data will help people make accurate predictions about flood risk and times.

Mill Road Drains Following a FG request to Cambs County Council the 3 gullies in Mill Road/Brookside bend area were jetted and suctioned. It was noted at the time that there was likely to be a blockage in the pipes running underground to the brook. This has been reported to CCC and our County Councillor for follow up and further action.

Brampton Cross is a new possible new development to the south of Alconbury. The FG are keen to understand the scale and detail of the scheme to that we can evaluate flood risks and the measures which will be required to mitigate them. We have a meeting later this week with the developers to discuss the information that will help us.

Fallen Willow: Thanks to FG members who removed a Willow Tree which had fallen across the brook downstream of Alconbury Weston ford. This would have been a problem if we had experienced heavy rain.

Contact us at: info@alconburyfloodgroup.uk