(This page was last updated on Wednesday 10th February 2010 02:25pm)
Latest
DEFRA Flooding Grant Update - from Tony Jones Land Drainage Department Wychavon District Council
Thank you to the Flood Group for supporting Wychavon District Council with the logistics of the DEFRA Grant Applications.Apologies that the process has taken a little longer than expected but we had an initial delay while awaiting a list of potential applicants from the Parish Council followed by a slight delays & getting all the consent forms back to Wychavon. However all is back on track now & we can confirm that all households who applied have now been surveyed by the Hydrologists, Haycock Associates & a findings report & list of recommendations will be passed to WDC by the end of this month. Following that there will be a role out of recommendations to the grant applicants & we are just finalizing the details of how we will deliver that service to the households.
Regards - Tony JonesLand Drainage Engineer Wychavon
posted 17th November 2009
Wychavon Support
We would like to thank Steve Jorden, Tony Jones & the rest of the team at Wychavon District Council for supporting the Flood Group & Flood Victims in the Parish of Beckford & for successfully delivering a DEFRA Grant to those hit hardest by flooding. Your professionalism & follow through is to be commended & we very much appreciate the energy & enthusiasm you bring to table in support of the village. We also would like to extend our thanks to Haycock Associates for a smooth surveying operation & for all the unpaid off the meter advice & support you have extended to us in the last 12 months.
posted 17th November 2009
Severn Trent Flood Alleviation Project
The works on Back Lane are now complete with a major new state of the art sewage system in place, that will hopefully stop the previous back flow sewage issues that some properties experienced. The Flood Group would like to thank the team of consultants at Grontmij who drove the project through & helped support the Flood Groups lobbying campaign after initially meeting with Josephine Barker, shortly after the horrific flooding of 2007. Like all major project it was touch & go at some stages as to whether funding would be made available, so we would also like to thank the Severn Trent Executive for investing in Beckford & the local Management for the excellent communication & consultation with our group. The Folkers work team were very professional & kept the residents informed every step of the way including supplying updates to the Beckford Web Site & were extremely accommodating during the road closure.posted 17th November 2009
Thanks to the public
Finally a big thank you to all the residents of Back Lane & anyone else who has been inconvenienced by Severn Trent & the Worcester County Council projects to improve the Manor Road Drains & repair of the Bridge. It would of taken nothing short of a miracle to to deliver a coordinated implementation of all 3 projects but the Flood Group did try to at least get WCC & Severn Trent to work in unison ...but to no avail.
posted 17th November 2009
The next steps for the Flood Group
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We have been successful in our application for a £5K grant & the Parish Council have agreed to use this money, to do much needed works on one of the culverts in the Parish. The flood group will continue to monitor their progress & update you on their progress.
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We are currently lobbying to get better drainage on the Beckford Inn stretch of the A46 & for the Highways Agency to investigate an inadequate Culvert.
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We are looking at the Washbourne & Carrant to see if we can interest the Environment Agency to work with us to secure an upgrade that will secure improved maintenance & sustainability in the long term future.
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We continue to liaise with Wychavon Land Drainage to report issues an on the Parish's watercourses.
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Some of our member are engaged with FWAG & are investigating an Environment Agency scheme which has been set up to encourage Land Owners & Riparian owners to follow best practice against flooding.
posted 17th November 2009
LITTLE BECKFORD Drainage
View the preliminary Scheme Plans here
Any feed back or comments please contact -
Dave Lavender at County Hall Worcester
Adrian Hardman County Councillor
Roger Palmer Parish Council Chairman
posted 5th August 2009
Culvert 3 Update
The Flood group continue to promote this project as a matter of urgency.
ACTIONS TO DATE
- The Flood Group have worked with Wychavon to secure a £5K grant to do the work.
- The grant will be paid to the Parish Council who have agreed to facilitate the project.
- Wychavon DC have been in talks with Overbury Estates who have agreed to undertake the work in principle but have requested a design specification with which to work with.
- The Parish Council have arranged talks with Overbury to ascertain there specific requirements & will be sourcing quotes from a number of hydrological specialists.
posted 5th August 2009
DEFRA Grants - what happens next?
- The Parish Council (PC) have taken ownership of the DEFRA Grant
- They have agreed to produce a communication programme to ensure all residents are kept informed & up to date throughout the process.
- Wychavon District Council (WDC) have asked the PC to identify potential houses which fit the criteria for the scheme.
- WDC have supplied data in accordance with their records which lists the flooded properties in the Parish, This data was supplied to the Parish Clerk & Roger Palmer (PC Chairman).
- A number of properties have applied already, following the letter that went out to all Parish Households in March.
- The PC are planning a last ditch communication drive, to ensure all properties that have flooded internally twice or more, will be given the opportunity to apply.
- Following that, a decision will be made by the Parish Council as to which properties, they feel should be put forward for the scheme.
- The Scheme allows for a maximum of 22 properties to be put forward.
- The PC have agreed to supply the list to WDC by the 14th August Deadline
posted 5th August 2009
£120k DEFRA Household Flood Protection Scheme grant awarded to Beckford
The Beckford Village Flood Group are pleased to confirm that our bid for a DEFRA Grant has been successful & the village has been awarded a £120K towards House Hold Flood Protection. We have organised a meeting with Wychavon District Council & invited the Parish Council Chair & Vice Chair along to discuss the mechanics of the scheme, so watch this space in the coming weeks for regular updates.
Steve Jorden, Head of the Environment Department at Wychavon District Council said "This bid has largely been successful because the villagers have been proactive & organised, putting together a flood working group"
Bill Brooks the BVFG Chairman would like to thank all those who supported & particularly the group members for their tireless work on behalf of the community, Haycock Associates for the free advice over the past 6 months & Steve Jorden from WDC who championed our cause with DEFRA.
Our group is going from strength to strength & the fruits of our labours are starting to come through. In the last month alone we have had confirmation from Severn Trent of new Sewage System in Back Lane & have also been awarded a £5K Grant towards vital works on a Culvert leading from the Alstone Brook into the Carrant Brook. Our priority continues to be a "COMPLETE SOLUTION" for the residents of Little Beckford & during this crucial & critical period we are calling on the Parish Council to hold a Public Consultation meeting with the residents & engage the services of a Hydrologist who will bring scientific reports & LADAR technology to the table.
Keep up-to-date...
- look at articles in the Gloucester Echo and Evesham Journal
- check out the latest Flood Group Action Plan
- check out progress on Little Beckford see 'Progress' below.
If you would like to get involved with the Flood Group or give us feedback, you can contact us via phone or email using information from the contacts page.
New sewerage in Back Lane
The BVFG have had another fantastic result with confirmation that new sewage pipes are to be put in from the top of Back Lane all the way to the Sewage Works. This is a campaign Josephine Barker started straight after the 2007 floods before the BVFG was formed all told it has been a rather difficult & painful campaign that entailed lots of site meetings & the doorstep collection of data by the group members. However we believe the setting up of a professional focused Flood Group has had been the driving force behind this result & we are thrilled Severn Trent have taken accountability 2 years on. This scheme will not only help the Beckford Manor residents but it will beneficial to the Village as a whole.
Follow these links view the full proposal documents and diagram with details about road closures (Back Lane closed for 5 weeks).
posted 25th June 2009
Attention All Flooded Households
Have you been flooded? - If so, you may be eligible to apply for a place on the EA House Protection Scheme.....
- Click Here to view the letter we have received from Wychavon District Council offering the chance to claim a grant.
- Click Here to view the draft document for the guidance on claiming assistance - feedback comments to Wychavon are sought!
- Click Here to download and print off an expression of interest form to be sent to Haycock Associates - or just call Nick Haycock on 01386 750642 for more information.
The environment agency have today approved the aid package to allow the grant applications to proceed. The following email was received today (8th June 2009) by Wychavon District Council from the Environment Agency...
To Steve Jorden (Wychavon DC)
Today the Environment Secretary, Hilary Benn, will announce the results of Defra’s property-level protection scheme. As you know we are administering the scheme on behalf of Government.
The ‘pathfinder’ round for the scheme has seen an overwhelming response, we received more than 166 applications asking for £22 million. Defra has allocated £2.5 million this round, which means over 1000 people living in 562 homes will benefit from less risk of flooding.
We are delighted to inform you that the Beckford scheme has been selected for the first round of the property-level protection grant scheme. We will invite you to a workshop that will be held as soon as practicable to discus next steps.
Regards
Jo Martin (Environment Agency)
posted 8th June 2009
The group hope to let everyone know about their progress by reporting the outcome of their meetings on a regular basis. The reports will be available in a number of locations throughout the village and also on this web site.
Great news that the Parish Council have organized a meeting for the flood victims of Little Beckford. This is your opportunity to be briefed & consulted regarding the planned Flood Alleviation Works. Your first hand experience & ground level knowledge of situation is extremely valuable to the authorities & will support their efforts to stop future flooding in Little Beckford.
| November 2009 Action Plan | cancelled |
| October 2009 Action Plan | Please contact Chairman for copy of these actions. |
| September 2009 Action Plan | |
| August 2009 Action Plan | |
| July 2009 Action Plan | |
| May 2009 Action Plan | |
| February 2009 Action Plan | |
| December 2008 Action Plan | |
| October 2008 Action Plan | |
| Autumn and Winter 2008/2009 Strategy | |
| Actions Report from meeting on 15th August 2008 |
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| You might think things have changed since 1912 - But have they? ....... What are we doing to make sure things DO change? Read about the new incentive here. | |
In July 2007 some residents in Beckford Parish were badly affected by the severe flooding.
At the suggestion of the Local Parish Council some of the residents that had been affected, set up a flood group. This group formulated a strategy with aims and objectives underpinned by an action plan. The members were all affected in one way or another, several having had their homes flooded.
For a full list of the members look on the Contacts Page.
The objectives of the group are to develop a strategy to prepare us for similar events in 'the future and to alleviate impact by working with the Highways Agency, Environment Agency and County, District and Parish Councils to 'reduce further threat. This work includes supporting the identification of blocked and poorly maintained watercourses and drains with a view to ensuring they are cleared to improve flow and the identification of inadequate infrastructure, such as the culverts in Little Beckford. We have the support of local and national politicians and whilst we remain hopeful that gentle persuasion will attain a better outcome for villages and residents, we are developing contacts to assist us, should we need to become more vocal in defense of the villages.
The group meet each month at the Beckford Village hall to discuss how they are progressing against their objectives and to share ideas on how they can proactively improve the flood alleviation for the Parish.
The Highways Agency – are responsible for the A46 locally, between Teddington Hands & Evesham. Contact Tel 08457504030.
Please use the above telephone number to report...
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Blocked Carriageway
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Blocked Carriageway drains
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Debris on the road
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Flooding
Quoting...
A46 Worcestershire
Beckford
Area 9
Amey
Other roads in the Parish, i.e. the lanes in the villages & around the hill are the responsibility of Worcestershire County Council - Highways Department. This includes the whole of the carriageway inclusive of the verges between the hedgerows/field boundaries. To report blocked drains, & flooding they can be contacted via the Worcestershire Hub on 01386 565000 or via email at evesham.shop@wychavon.gov.uk contact with the Hub is audited & will illicit a response.
Wychavon District Council are committed to trying to make things better for the community, but they have no statutory responsibility, although they do have the power to ensure landowners keep their ditches & watercourses clear. At this time they have no budget to carry out new flood alleviation works. Their focus is on working with Parishes to develop Flood Action Plans which will identify what can be done and who should do it. They are currently working up a scheme to provide limited funding to Parish Councils to help with schemes that provide protection for multiple properties. Also contactable via the Hub, as above.
Severn Trent Water – concerned with foul water & sewage & the infrastructure which conveys it, which is all too often compromised during flooding, causing sewage to back up into gardens & homes. The Severn Trent emergency number is 0800 783 4444.
The Parish Council are the best way to introduce Flood issues to the District & County Councils via their interaction with the locally elected representatives at their regular Meetings. Locally accountable, they all commit their time voluntarily to making our community a better place to live.
The Lengthsman is a new post, employed by the County Council & managed locally via the Parish Clerk. Their role is to support the maintenance of the County Council Highways – but not the Highways Agency roads, so not the A46. This includes clearing gullies & grates, digging out blocked gullies, advising landowners of blockages on their frontages, removing vegetation, tidying footways & other works as directed.
The Flood Warden, is a volunteer, currently, Bill Brooks from the BVFG, who co-ordinates Wychavon District Councils Flood Strategy, as it applies to Beckford/Grafton. Given the nature of the task, particularly as it applies to Beckford & Little Beckford, where parts of the village are quickly isolated from each other, it requires the support of a number of Assistant Wardens to deliver the emergency action required at times of highest risk. The role includes offering practical assistance including the distribution of sand-bags etc, and supports the Parish Council with the provision of their Emergency Flood Strategy – assisting with providing support to the vulnerable and potential hostelling of evacuees etc. The Flood Warden can be contacted on 01386 881312 / 07785 905556
The Environment Agency, who most people think have a big say…….are only really concerned with Main Rivers & whilst they provide expert advice to the other Agencies, they’re not really very interested in Beckford as things currently stand.
The Beckford Village Flood Group – here to help if we can. Chair, Bill Brooks, Jubilee Cottage, Back Lane, Beckford, 01386 881312, 07785 905556 contact us over any flood related issues & to ensure that you are on the Emergency Contact list if YOU are at risk.
The Village Web Site, which, it is hoped, in the event of flooding will be an integral part of the Emergency Strategy - http://www.beckford-village.org/floodcommittee
National Flood Forum – http://www.floodforum.org.uk/ - “does what it says on the tin
If you would ether like to get involved in improving the villages flood alleviation or, you are from a similar group who are keen to exchange ideas, best practice etc. We would like to hear from you. The group welcomes input from anyone who has concerns about the way in which past or future flooding has, or is likely to, affect them.
In the first instance please email the Flood Groups Secretary. Mrs Josephine Barker