Alconbury Brook Flood Group Report August 28th 2022

Alconbury Brook Flood Alleviation Scheme.

As a result of consultation, the main option now being evaluated is the upstream culverted bund at Alconbury Weston plus other complimentary options. The FAS website is being regularly updated so the public can check progress.

First of our regular meetings with EA discussed progress with acquiring funding which is going well with further funds from national infrastructure funding which is available to communities which have flooded twice or more in the last 10 years (e.g. 2016 and 2020).

EA reported that preliminary costings of some options being prepared.

Also helpful discussion about modelling. Flood Group looking at the cross section of the brook in a number of places to see if it has changed. This work has started and feedback provided to the EA about the section from the flyover to Armstrong’s Gorse.

FG reported on progress with upstream pond projects, successes and challenges (see below)

FG outlined conversations they had had with downstream businesses and how we could work together.

40 Ponds project (Landscape Recovery/NFM)

Positive meeting with FWAG and landowner regarding Black Lodge pond refurbishment. All looks good for this to happen in the next few months. FWAG and FG to meet contractor on site early September.

Hamerton pond project has fallen through, as a result FG are in the process of preparing a permitted development application for another site in Alconbury Weston. All being well the £10,000 being provided by CCC will go towards this as well as other funding.

The FG completed and submitted an application to the Wooley Wind Farm Fund for a grant to make a 1500m3 scrape next to Buckworth Brook. If the grant application is successful then autumn or spring completion anticipated.

CIL funding

CIL is the levy developers pay which is then given to communities to improve infrastructure.

Alconbury PC on behalf of the FG has applied for CIL funds to provide trapped drains on Brookside and at the end of the High Street. Trapped drains have an underground container to remove silt.

The current drains allow road silt to go straight into the brook which encourages reed growth. The reedy section of the brook in Alconbury is 50cm shallower because of the build up of silt.

Volunteer projects

We have a schedule for Saturdays in September to complement the maintenance work being done by the EA, also in September. We are starting with work around the Dutch Arches in Alconbury Weston, and just before and after the flyover in Alconbury. If you can volunteer contact Debbie Hose for details of when we need help.

The County Council have provided us with additional equipment including wheelbarrows, shovels, ropes, brush cutters and hedge cutters.

The FG have been invited to speak at the forthcoming Cambridgeshire Flood Conference.