Alconbury Brook Flood Group Report September 2023

EA Flood alleviation scheme: We have been invited to look at the model outputs this week in a meeting with the EA and the modelling company JBA. These outputs will be in the form of maps and other similar data showing the extent of flooding predicted for different return periods e.g. 1 every 20 years; 50 years and so on. We will be able to compare the model with real life. The first step will be to ensure the model is valid.

  IF the new model then shows that more properties flood more often than the old model, then maybe we will be able to show more benefit to be gained from a possible flood alleviation scheme. Extra benefit will mean extra funding for any scheme. Testing the model against possible schemes will take until January 2024.

GreenBlue: Acting on the information received from GreenBlue during an on-site meeting, plans to install the HydroPlanters at the Memorial Hall are developing well. A local contractor has quoted for the project. Surplus spoil will be disposed of thanks to excellent advice from Mr Philip Baker. GreenBlue have offered further support as we begin and during the work. Funding is imminent . When the time comes, we will be looking for some willing volunteers to help with some aspects of preparation and installation  We are aiming for the work to be done before the end of November.

Volunteer work and Brook Maintenance.

Internal Drainage Board will be flailing banks in the next 2 weeks

Volunteers have been tackling the places inaccessible to a tractor and have done excellent work beyond the flyover, near the ford and near the Heritage Bridge.

In October we will be doing work near the Alconbury Weston Ford, downstream of the Alconbury Sewerage Works, and a soil measuring morning.

Alconbury Weston Pond Archaeology: Quotes for the archaeology and necessary excavation have been acquired and funding has been assured. The next step is to get a brief for the work from Cambridgeshire County Council. Our chosen archaeological organisation will then produce a work schedule which will need to be approved. Hopefully by the next edition of our bulletin we will be able to report that the archaeology can begin. Although we have been assured that it is unlikely that Iron Age people built a village on a boggy field, there is always the risk that we turn up a Roman temple which might slow things down considerably!! We still hope that actual excavation of the pond will take place well before Christmas.

Harts Pond: We have met with Phil Hart the farmer who, with minor modifications, has approved the plan. A few pieces of paperwork to sign and then hopefully volunteers will move in, in October to complete some tree work, and then the contractor to do the excavation.

Small meander adaption- Permit application approved work to be done later in the autumn.

Charity: We have applied for a ‘Just Giving’ page

Nitrate measurement: Volunteers have carried out a second survey at the beginning of September. Again levels are higher as you move downstream, slightly lower than August’s measurements.

Debris in the brook at Hinchingbrooke Country Park is still there despite our request that it be removed. Nuns Bridge is badly blocked topped off with a supermarket trolley. The debris may block the bridge and the trolley may get stuck in Garkies Sluice.

This is very disappointing since we were promised action last month and the month before! Watch this space.

Herbal Ley Project: Seed sowing for at least 2 of the experiments during October. Volunteers will be doing soil testing during October. Exciting! Work has started on our first video, link to YouTube channel in next bulletin.

Sensor Project: We will know if Cambridgeshire Community Foundation can support the purchase of additional sensors and the community dissemination of the information by November 1st

Mill Road Drains. A change in staff at CCC has resulted in a slight delay in inspection for further action. Our County Councillor has assured us this will be discussed this week and following a Flood Group request the 3 gullies in Mill Road/Brookside bend area were jetted and suctioned. It seems there is likely to be a blockage in the pipes running underground to the brook. We have requested a joint onsite visit with the Highways as the first step in resolving this issue. This has been reported to CCC for follow-up and our County Councillor for support.

Brampton Cross Meeting with BX team held and a number of questions submitted. The Parish Council are arranging a public meeting with BX in October. We hope to have answers to our questions before the meeting.

Flood Conference: 5 members of the Flood Group attended Cambridgeshire’s second Flood Conference with us all returning with useful info and contacts. Back in January 23 Cambridgeshire made a short video about TABFG, we have seen a preview and understand it will soon be released. Link to video in next bulletin.