Tips to help reduce your flood risk

LOCAL flood risk is well documented and has sadly been experienced first hand by too many residents.
Climate change and further housing developments only exacerbate the flood risk in our town and villages. Whilst much is beyond the control of householders there are simple steps that most community minded people can take to help reduce the flood risk.
This is the first in a short series of articles from Southwell Flood Forum to encourage people to help themselves.
Driveways & Garden Paths – Choose options that allow rainwater to soak away naturally. Rainfall run off from solid surfaces like driveways and garden paths is a contributory factor to flooding towns.
Reduce the water running off driveways and paths by creating ways in which it can naturally soak into the ground. Think about the construction of your drive. Use gravel over a base that allows water to soak away.
Much more practical from a flood perspective than concrete or tarmac, and if done properly, aesthetically better.
Don’t stop there. Reduce solid paving.
Create a rain garden. For more information on all of these ideas visit www.bit.ly/ greennotgrey.
Take simple action beyond the end of your drive. Make sure your kerbside gutters remain clear, especially around grids. If you have elderly or infirm neighbours they’ll appreciate you doing their stretch of kerbside too.
Please consider what you can do to reduce our flood risk. Every action makes a difference. It’s your chance to be part of the solution.