Posted & filed under Blog.

Spotlight on Hannah Coogan by Binnies a member of the RSK group – a UK-based environmental, engineering and technical services group delivering sustainable solutions.

Hannah O’Callaghan (as we knew her in 2013) was in the Flood Team at Nottinghamshire County Council and was instrumental in quickly and efficiently putting in a bid to DEFRA for flood risk management work in Southwell. This article demonstrates how Hannah has ‘flood in her blood’ and has continued growing in expertise and dedication to the industry.

As we celebrate 10 years’ of the huge amount of work done by volunteers, agencies and our Lead Flood Authority, NCC with their consultants and engineers since our phenomenal flood event in 2013, we recall the partnerships that have been beneficial in reducing our flood risk.

As Hannah notes, we as a community need to keep building on the resilience that has developed over the last 10 years – climate change is ‘biting’ and will likely bring more extreme weather conditions so we cannot be complacent. We continue to learn about the mechanisms of our flood risk and how the engineered mitigation helps. We need to remain vigilant on the state of our environment, keeping it clean to ensure the maintenance and smooth operation of our drainage system. Our Road Closure Scheme with a committed team of over 50 trained Wardens can help protect people and houses during a flood event.  We as individuals can contribute to safeguarding our lovely town and its residents and visits by supporting those efforts.

Thank you to everyone who has been involved and continue to be committed in our aims.

Natural Flood Management – animated films highlight the benefits

Posted & filed under Community Resilience, Flood Mitigation, Natural Flood Management.

Cumbria Wildlife Trust and partners have created four entertaining and engaging Creature Comforts-style animations to highlight how NFM can help protect Cumbria’s homes, businesses and farms. Funded by the Environment Agency the short films demonstrate how these techniques decrease flooding downstream, reduce the impact of drought on land, and reduce pollutants in water. NFM is… Read more »

Drought in the Trent catchment – how we can adapt and build back wetter

Posted & filed under Blog.

See full article from Trent Rivers Trust Extracts below where Southwell is mentioned. This month, the Environment Agency declared a drought across large parts of England, including the Trent catchment. Due to low rainfall and increased demand, our rivers, brooks and streams have hit historical lows. Some smaller streams have dried up entirely. ……. The… Read more »

DEFRA consultation on storm overflows

Posted & filed under Community Resilience, Potwell Dyke Flood Group, Watercourse Clearing.

Storm overflows are safety valves built into the combined sewer system to discharge excess sewage to rivers, lakes, or the sea when rainfall exceeds capacity. The deadline for comments is: 12th May 2022. The consultation website states: ‘Tackling storm overflows in England is a government priority. It is an issue which has received significant public… Read more »

Potwell Dyke attenuation scheme planning application

Posted & filed under Blog, Community Resilience, Flood Mitigation, In The Press, Potwell Dyke Flood Group.

Newark Advertiser press release February 2022 Neil Clarke, Chairman of the Transport and Environment committee said: “I am pleased to confirm that the proposed Potwell Dyke attenuation scheme planning application has now been submitted. “If approved, the scheme will go a long way to holding back water during flood conditions – something which is much… Read more »

Potwell Dyke flood alleviation project off Church Street (consultation until 11th February 2022)

Posted & filed under Blog, Flood Mitigation, In The Press.

The planning application for the final major flood mitigation work under the Southwell Flood Alleviation Scheme is now live. This follows months – actually years – of detailed surveys, research, technical engineering design work and consultations to create a bund on Potwell Dyke to help protect properties from the Potwell overtopping. There were many environmental… Read more »

Pond Life in Southwell – Squires and Edward Cludd Ponds

Posted & filed under Blog, In The Press.

Southwell Town Council is committed to improving biodiversity and with this in mind we are focused on enhancing Squires and Cludd ponds, in the beautiful War Memorial Recreation Ground. Part of the watercourse begins at the natural spring at Edward Cludd pond near Southwell Minster School, and runs into the Potwell Dyke, eventually reaching Squires… Read more »