Alconbury Brook Flood Group Report January 2023

FAS

• Progress slow. Survey complete but modelling report will take months more.

• Problem still in demonstrating cost benefit ratio despite there being funds in the pot. JP to get some calculations done in-house to save time and cost.

• Flood Group have re-visited nearly every property which flooded in 1998 in order to give accurate property data to JP

• Flood Group asking local contractors to quote in order to demonstrate how cost reductions might be possible.

• At EAs suggestion, next FG meeting will look at elements of less popular options to see how combinations with our preferred option might add benefit.

Pond Projects

• Planning permission turned down for Buckworth scrape! On grounds that slight overlap with Iron Age settlement. FG has negotiated with County Archaeologist and an acceptable compromise has been reached that allows us to make progress. Discussed with Planning Officer and way forward likely.

• Planning permission still awaited for large AW pond.

Video

• CCC invited FG to make a video about their work to inform other flood groups. Video team interviewed residents from A and AW

Gabions

• Further progress. Money has been allocated and survey team have visited the area so that design work can start. PCs, FG, residents will all be consulted when plans are available.

Sensor Project

• Flow, rainfall, and soil moisture as starting point.

• Experimental prototype sensors and nodes prepared by FG member.

• Awaiting an opportunity to check that prototypes communicate properly with c-Things gateways. If they do then sensor data will eventually be accessible on mobile phones.

• 4 landowners have offered to accommodate communication equipment.

Herbal Ley Project

• Experiment at Great Gidding on grass mixtures which conserve soil moisture and sediment run-off.

• Sensors will also be part of this project + biodiversity measurement and sediment run-off, soil microbe DNA and sediment fingerprinting.

• Outcomes will include dissemination of results to catchment farmers, and beyond

• Significant funding to support this project likely through Anglian Water, other help from EA and Natural England.

National Flood Forum

• Recent visit to look at our work and provide ideas. Commitment by them to give talk on Flood-re at FG AGM

Racecourse

• Generous support included naming a horse-race: Stop Alconbury Brook Flooding Challenge and providing an opportunity for a bucket collection at the Boxing Day meeting. £455 raised.