Ulverston Town Council should be complimented for the potential that this meeting had. The number and quality of the people on the panel was impressive, however the way the meeting was run, was very disappointing to say the least (the word "pathetic" comes to mind).
A carefully posed picture in Thursday’s Evening Mail of Chairman, Norman Bishop-Rowe looking "presidential" says it all. He was clearly enjoying being centre stage and the meeting started straight off in a disorganised way with random questions from the floor.
What never happened was an explanation from the experts as to where the flood water in people's houses came from and leading from this to determine a plan of action with preventative measures being agreed.
The experts were just allowed to give vague answers and confusion reigned.
The audience were not allowed to ask penetrating questions and our chairman lacked the competence to elucidate clear answers
Instead the focus of the meeting was diverted away by two red herrings that swam around merrily : why the drains were blocked and why planning permission was being given to future development of land adjacent to Kennedy St.
To secure the limelight hypocritical councillors (Colin Hodgson and others) bombarded the SLDC cabinet who are both Kendal and Liberal Democrats over past planning decisions he himself and his Ulverston Conservative colleagues had previously recommended.
Two apparent sources of large quantities of water were:
1. That flowing down Dragley Beck which then burst its banks in a similar way to that has happened regularly - last time in September 2008 which has been documented well on Youtube..
2. The large volume of water flowing down the town drain along North Lonsdale Road.
A lot of the focus was put on the drains whereas problems arising from the flooding from Dragley Beck, the performance of the main drain and the unfit drainage of surrounding land were only touched upon.
In view of global warming that leads to streams of air, heavily laden with moisture, coming across Cumbria, is it not likely that, with the above confused thinking, houses in South Ulverston will again be flooded within 5 years unless something dramatic is done to counteract this effect?
The Environment agency supported this view.
The following measures surely make sense:
1. A barrier wall is built close to Dragley Beck as was being outlined in questioning after the meeting.
2. A reassessment of an antiquated surface water and sewerage system so as to cope with high rain fall.
3. Government funds made available to enabled homes to raise their floor level by say on foot. Alternatively to purchase houses from residents to relocate should they wish.
4. A reliable means of draining or pumping the water to the sea that does gets close to the houses.
Glyn Vaughan from the Environment Agency recommended that a review be held in six months time.
This man who is clearly on the side of the residents, shed one ray of hope when he stated that a full consultation would be possible under new legislation.
After the meeting he showed me possible action plans and recommended the need for “people power” to get these implemented.
Why didn’t this come out in the meeting?
No wonder South Ulverston Residents are angry.
* * *
And here are the Town Council Minutes of the same meeting which illustrate the lack of clarity and action:
Go to the bottom to check what "action" is proposed.
Go to the bottom to check what "action" is proposed.
ULVERSTON TOWN COUNCIL
Minutes of a Public Meeting to discuss Flooding Problems
in South Ulverston, held in the Coronation Hall on
Wednesday 9 December 2009 at 7.00 p.m.
Present :
Councils/Organisations & Agencies on Top Table :
Cllr. Norman Bishop-Rowe – Chairman & Town Mayor, Ulverston Town Council
David Parratt – Town Clerk, Ulverston Town Council
Cllr. Graham Vincent – Portfolio Holder for Economic Regeneration, SLDC
Cllr. Brenda Woof – Portfolio Holder for Environment & Sustainability, SLDC
Lawrence Conway – Corporation Director, Communities, SLDC
Simon Rowley – Assistant Director, Community Services, SLDC
Nick Pearson – Street Care Operations Manager, SLDC
Keith Masser – Area Engineer for South Lakeland, Cumbria Highways, CCC
Glyn Vaughn – North Area Flood & Coastal Risk Management, Environment Agency
Mike Fell – Team Leader, Asset Systems Management, Environment Agency
Eric McDonald – District Engineer for Barrow & District, United Utilities
Carl Milner – Senior Environmental Adviser, GlaxoSmithKline
Inspector Paul Latham – Police, Ulverston
Also Present :
Ulverston Town Councillors
County Cllr Peter Hornby – CCC
District Cllr Mark Wilson – SLDC
District Cllr Jamie Samson – SLDC
Bruce Evans – Assistant Street Care Operations Manager for Ulverston, SLDC
Terry McSorley – Office Manager for John Hutton MP
Members of the Public – 200+
Media Representatives :
Television North West
NW Evening Mail
Westmorland Gazette
Radio Cumbria
1. Welcome :
The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting.
2. Introductions :
Top Table representatives were then invited to introduce themselves in terms of who they were representing, their title and main area of responsibility.
3. Aims & Purpose of the Meeting :
The Chairman read out a statement as follows:
“This meeting has been called following the recent floods in South Ulverston on 1st November and again on 19/20 November, but also because of frequent flooding that has occurred in the past.
There are concerns about a number of issues which Ulverston Town Council and the public have raised on many occasions and which were raised again during public participation at the Town Council Meeting on 23 November. Concerns included blocked gullies and drains which had not been cleared and were full of sand and debris, the frequency of clearing drains and gullies which appear to have been reduced, the channel maintenance of various streams, becks and water courses and Carter Pool, which it is understood is full of silt and rubbish.
It is recognised that we are far more fortunate than the people of Workington and Cockermouth and other parts of South Lakeland that have been recently affected. Nevertheless, it is felt that unless urgent and effective action is carried out, it will be Ulverston’s turn before long to experience a major disaster on this scale.
It is also recognised that the amount of rainfall on 19 November was unprecedented. With regards to the outcome of this meeting, after listening to the concerns of residents and the council and various responses from the panel and discussions, it would seem vital that joint agency meetings are held to agree a list of problem locations, causes where known and an investigation process into what actions should be carried out and by whom, with an agreed timescale. Ulverston Town Council asks that the results of these subsequent meetings be made known as soon as possible.
I also want this meeting to be constructive and not become a slanging match. There is a need to be positive and find a way forward. The aim is to finish this meeting by 9.00 p.m. at the latest”.
4. Public Participation, Responses from the Panel and Discussion :
The Operations Manager at the Back Barrow Hotel asked if the sluice gates had been left open at the upper reaches of the river. Mr. Fell, Environment Agency said they would have only been opened when the river reached a certain level to reduce the risk of flooding and would not have exacerbated the problem.
Mr. I. Lancaster, Kennedy Street, said that North Lonsdale Road and Steel Street became flooded on 19 November and over the weekend, following very heavy rain. Mr. Lancaster added that he had counted 75 drains in the area and at least 16 of these were blocked with silt and rubbish. It took many telephone calls before a gully cleaning vehicle and road sweeper arrived on task. Debris and rubbish were left lying around after the vehicle left the area at 2.30 pm. A number of blocked drains were not cleared. He was told that the sandbags provided would be disposed of as they were contaminated.
Mr. Lancaster asked who was responsible for the water coming into the houses, the failed sewerage system and issues with insurance. With regards to sandbags, Mr. Conway, SLDC said that because of the forecast of heavy rain the previous week, an initial supply of sandbags were provided which was then supplemented by a further 1,200 amounting to over 2,000 overall. They went very quickly. Mr. McDonald, United Utilities was not aware that the sewerage system had failed. Mr. Fell, Environment Agency said that a flood watch had been issued for the area.
Mr. Meyers said that a significant number of drains were not working and could only find one that was. He said that 13 out of 14 drains were blocked solid, the sumps were full of grit in most of them. He added that he then managed to unblock some drains and this reduced the water level considerably. He said that there were blocked drains all over the town and wanted to know who pays the highways agency for clearing the drains. Mr. Masser, Area Engineer said that ultimately it was the Council Tax payer who pays, but Cumbria County Council was responsible. He said that they were trying to clean the drains twice a year, but at present it was only once a year due to reducing budgets. He was looking at additional resources for gully emptying. Mr. Meyers said that the County Council were not providing a service which the Council Tax payers were being charged for.
Mrs. H. Franklin, 112 North Lonsdale Road, drew attention to a letter dated 4 November 2009 from Mr. J. Hutton MP to Mr. P. Ridgway, Chief Executive, SLDC and copied to the Chief Executive of United Utilities, regarding flooding problems at her property in early November. There had been flooding before. She said that there had been no response to this letter. Mr. Conway, SLDC said that he was surprised at this but would check. Mr. Parratt, Town Clerk provided Mr. Conway with a copy of this letter at the meeting. Mr. McSorley, Office Manager for Mr. J. Hutton MP said there had been no response. SLDC and United Utilities would respond within 48 hours.
Mr. McDonald, United Utilities said that the amount of flood water was swamping the drainage system. Mr. Fell, Environment Agency said that they had been clearing all the becks and streams following the flooding. One particular area was related to Dragley Beck near Fitz bridge. A considerable amount of material, stones, and debris had accumulated there and needed to be removed. He added that the Environment Agency did not have exclusive powers to do what it wants and often needed the permission of the land owner. Mr. Masser, Area Engineer said that he understood that the gullies had been emptied during the summer and that the drains were designed to take a one year storm. He said that excessive water beyond this could not be contained, but clearly admitted that there was an issue with blocked drains which needed to be addressed.
A number of questions were then asked about building development on a flood plain area such as the land surrounding North Lonsdale Road. Mr. Conway, SLDC said that this needed to be looked at over a number of years and an assessment of what was going to be done in the future. Mr. Fell, Environment Agency said that planning permission on a flood plain would normally be opposed. The Chairman said that there had been several items of correspondence on this issue and that the area does flood on a regular basis. Mr. Fell said that the Environment Agency was only a statutory consultee and did not have the final say on the matter. Mr. A. Butcher, North Lonsdale Road queried whether all the drains go to the sewer and perhaps the more that is built, particular in a flood plain area, the bigger the problem.
Mr. McDonald said that under normal conditions, there was capacity in the system unless the sewers become overloaded. United Utilities, as for the Environment Agency were also a consultee and can make recommendations but cannot refuse an application. Mr. Conway, SLDC said that when a Planning Application arrives, a number of stakeholders are involved. Mr. Fell, Environment Agency said that they had been looking at protecting properties in Steel Street and since the recent flooding, had met with the SLDC and United Utilities engineers. The river spills over the area by the Rope Walk and there was a need to reduce the water coming across Steel Street and open the drainage channels. There was a need for agencies to work together on these issues.
Mr. Rowley, SLDC, said they were looking at the drainage structure in North Lonsdale Road. There were a number of old culverts and drains running in all kinds of directions. There was a need to build flood resilience in this area and were working as hard as possible with other agencies. Mr. Fell, Environment Agency said they were part way through a comprehensive study of flooding in South Ulverston to reduce future risks. There was a water course passing through a sewer. The water course had collapsed and all the water had been going through the sewer.
Cllr. Mrs. A. Rigg, Ulverston Town Council said that she lived on North Lonsdale Road and was very concerned about the intention to build further development on the flood plain. Cllr. Vincent, SLDC said that the site will offer facilities for different types of business and that there needed to be major reasons for not going ahead. However, he said that residents fears will be addressed and that it was subject to planning permission. One resident pointed out that there was 10 metres of solid clay below the surface which had been drilled out. Cllr. Airey, Ulverston Town Council then asked for a commitment from Cllr. Vincent that the plans be withdrawn as the subsequent effect would result in further flooding of resident’s homes in the area. There was a need for a sustainable answer on flooding. The Local Development Framework was not at a finished stage and the parcel of land could be taken off the market. Cllr. Vincent said that this was not the view of the officers of SLDC. The developer needed the views of the Environment Agency and United Utilities. Cllr. Woof, SLDC said that cabinet cannot change policy and that this would need to be a decision by Council members. Cllr. Wilson, SLDC asked what was the decision making process for employment land and the public petitions that had been handed in.
Cllr. Vincent repeated that the decision is made at Cabinet but that the Environment Agency and other stakeholders would have full input before any planning permission is given. Mr. Vaughn, Environment Agency said that a lot more was known about the effects of flooding in South Ulverston than was known before. They would continue to look at what is needed to reduce the flood risk. Cllr. Jenkinson, UTC referred to Barn Beck which flows into Dragley Beck from a higher level and needed assurance that the condition and affects of the upper water courses were being addressed and the minor becks needed to be looked at. Mr. Fell, Environment Agency said that they didn’t have jurisdiction over the upper water courses, but Mr. Rowley, SLDC said that they would be looked at.
Returning to the proposed development in North Lonsdale Road, Mrs. H. Franklin said that the development should be stopped and Mr. Lancaster said that the field could only be used for 6 weeks of this year due to flooding or saturated ground. Cllr. Hodgson, UTC said that with regard to this planning issue, this had been a cabinet decision and asked that at lease a moratorium be called for the time being until the factors had been addressed.
Cllr. Lister, UTC also asked if the plans would be suspended for the time being. Cllr. Vincent said that all the issues will be investigated but that there was a need to move forward. Mr. Dellow believed that all the factors involved were highly complex. He also considered that SLDC and C.C.C. needed to secure appropriate funds to buy houses from residents who wished to sell them in North Lonsdale Road.
The Chairman then read out a letter that had been received from Mr. J. Kelly, Ulverston, who had been an engineer at Glaxo. He said he had been a resident for forty years on the Ulverston Flood Plains. Historically, traditional industries were based in the area due to a supply of water which had been continuously extracted from large wells. He believed that the end of these industries must have had an effect on the water table. He also considered that as Glaxo no longer had a fermentation process and had closed down other units, that their continuous ground water usage would be much reduced. He also wondered about the condition of the Ulverston Canal, the redundant vacant areas on the Glaxo site and the effects on drainage, tighter control of unauthorised dumping on the floodplain and Carter Pool.
Mr. C. Milner, Senior Environmental Adviser to Glaxo then responded to these questions. He said that with regard to the Canal, it was a clay lined structure. There is an overflow to maintain a constant level but it is regularly inspected. The amount of water extracted by Glaxo had reduced by 60%, but there was no impact on the area. With regard to redundant sites, drainage systems would be left intact. Carter Pool is a site of Special Scientific Interest and is a natural water course. He said that it was not the responsibility of Glaxo and came under the Crown Agents. The Chairman said that concerns had been raised about silting in Carter Pool and the effects on becks that fed into it. The Crown Agents would be contacted.
The Chairman asked Inspector P. Latham for any comments. Inspector Latham said that residents in the North Lonsdale Road area had been very resilient under the circumstances and there was good community spirit. There had been no reports of any looting.
5. Conclusions and Follow Up Actions :
Mr. Vaughn, Environment Agency said that there were many factors involved with flooding problems and that the issues were often not straight forward. He referred to a new piece of legislation, following the recent Queens Speech, the Flood and Water Management Bill. The Bill gave the authority to implement the recommendations of the Pitt report on flooding. The Bill was also likely to have a high priority within the parliamentary timetable and attract cross party support during the remaining months of the present Government.
The Bill seeks to :
(i) define the roles and responsibilities of everyone in flood risk management and give the lead to local authorities for managing the risk of all local causes of floods;
(ii) place a duty on all relevant bodies to share information in support of flood risk management;
(iii) require developers to include sustainable drainage wherever practicable in new housing and business developments.
This will involve a review of plans and strategies put in place by district, county and unitary councils and various agencies.
The Chairman agreed that joint agency co-operation and actions were needed at an early stage to reduce flooding problems. Ulverston Town Council would be keeping a close watch on proceedings and ask that they be informed of progress on these very important matters that have had such a significant affect on the community.
Chairman
(The meeting closed at 9.10 p.m.)
A fat lot of good will that do!
The Ulverston Town Council agree to do practically nothing. They don't even agree to review the situation in six months as proposed by the Environment Agency.
With this amount of commitment from the politicians we can wait for the next Flooding of South Ulverston in a few years' time when there will be more hand ringing and empty words.
To get more posts that are here on this subject click on "flooding" on the label below.
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