Welcome to our first Cambridgeshire Flood and Water Newsletter. The council oversees local flood risk including the management of groundwater and surface water flood risks and the regulation of ordinary watercourses. We work in partnership with the Environment Agency, district and parish councils, water companies and Internal Drainage Boards.
Managing flood risk and increasing community resilience in Cambridgeshire is our priority and we work closely with local residents to achieve this.
This new seasonal newsletter will provide you with information, advice and guidance relating to flooding, and explore how to manage watercourses depending on time of the year. We will also promote upcoming events and provide information on local flood groups. Where relevant, we will share local case studies so that you can see some of our achievements.
Flood Resilience Day at St Ives
Date: 25th March 2024
Time: 3.30 - 6.30pm
Location: St Ives Library, 4, Library Row, Station Road, St Ives, PE27 5BW
Flood Resilience Day at St Neots
Date: 27th March 224
Time: 3.30 - 6.30pm
Location: St Neots Library, Priory Lane, St Neots, PE19 2BH
Flood Resilience Day at Fen Drayton
Date: 11th May 2024
Time: 10am - 4pm
Location: Fen Drayton Village Hall, Cootes Lane, Fen Drayton, Cambridge CB24 4SL
As you will have seen, Cambridgeshire experienced widespread flooding in early January following a series of storms. This is the second major event we have seen in only three years – with flooding in December 2020/January 2021 affecting around 300 properties.
Following the 2020 flooding we have seen many communities in Cambridgeshire organise themselves in Community Flood Action Groups. These groups played a pivotal role in the most recent flooding and their hard work and dedication meant that properties and vehicles were saved from flooding.
Membership of a flood group can be anything from a couple of active neighbours to a formal organisation who meet on a regular basis to work on behalf of the local community to help reduce the impact of flooding.
They may do some or all of the following:
- Support the community to sign up to flood warnings
- Develop a community flood action plan
- Prepare for flooding and take some actions to help during a flood event
- Develop knowledge of local flood risk
- Create a communication network such as through email, WhatsApp or Facebook to share information and warnings
- Identify vulnerable residents or frequently flooded areas
Cambridgeshire County Council will provide support to anyone who is interested in setting up a Community Flood Action Group and we can also put you in touch with other local groups to learn from each other. There are flood kits available which include items to help before, during and after a flood event e.g. high-vis jackets, flood signs, torches and a storage facility to make it accessible to the community in the event of a flood.
To learn more about flood groups we have made the following video with the Alconbury Brook flood group.
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The Houghton & Wyton Community Flood Action Group was formed following Storm Bella in December 2020 which resulted in the first ever flood warning for the village. Since then, the group has grown to have more than 20 members who meet monthly and take a proactive approach to flooding by raising awareness of flood issues with the aim of increasing community resilience.
Together, the group has produced a Flood Action Plan which was approved by the Environment Agency in 2021, received grants from the Environment Agency and Cambridgeshire County Council for flood equipment and storage facilities, hold regular events, and provide flood alerts and information to the community. The group is committed to enhancing their knowledge of flood risk management and tackling priority issues.
On the 27th January the group held its first flood warden training session. This focused on understanding flood risk, the impacts on the village and the crucial role of the Community Emergency Volunteers (Flood Wardens and Coordinators). These volunteers play a vital role in implementing the Flood Action Plan, patrolling the village, and reporting flood extents and condition of equipment. Looking ahead, the group aims to distribute a flood risk handbook to all residents, expand its numbers and train more flood wardens, as well as publish flood-related documents on the Parish Council’s website.
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Did you know that if you have a ditch or stream within your property boundary, or alongside the edge of your boundary, you are probably responsible for keeping it clear of blockages or overgrown vegetation? This includes those that flow underground in pipes (culverts) and it can even be the case if it is behind your fence. If you are responsible for the ditch or stream you are called the riparian owner.
With over 8,000 miles of watercourses in Cambridgeshire, they play a huge part in managing flood risk so it’s really important they are kept clear and able to flow freely. Over the winter is a great time to carry out maintenance such as clearing excess vegetation, cutting grass or repairing any damage.
View the full Watercourse Guidance 2022 Non-Technical Summary PDF online.
Please note if you are repairing any damage on or near a main river, an Environment Agency Flood Risk Activity Permit may be required.
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To help you understand more about what is involved in owning and maintaining a watercourse we have produced some helpful guides which are available by clicking here.
If you have any questions about whether you have responsibility to maintain a watercourse or what actions you should be undertaking, please contact us using the details at the bottom of this newsletter.
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It is widely acknowledged that the world is far warmer now than it was 100 years ago, as humans continue to emit record amounts of greenhouse gases (like carbon dioxide) into the atmosphere. According to the UK Met Office, 2023 was the second warmest year on record in the UK, and the warmest year recorded for the planet.
Read the full story on BBC News.
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The recent temperature increase is linked to the rapid shift to El Niño conditions, which has occurred on top of long-term human-caused emissions. El Niño is a natural event where warmer surface waters in the East Pacific Ocean release additional heat into the atmosphere.
So, how does an increase in global temperatures affect flood risk in Britain? As the atmosphere warms, it can hold more water, which is then released as rainfall so warmer temperatures can equal more rain. Conversely, hotter days can dry out the soil meaning rainfall runs off more quickly which can result in floods. This means that climate change can cause both drought and flooding at the same time.
The best way to tell us about a flooding problem is by visiting this page:
Email Us:
Planning application, pre-application or development related queries:
Watercourse consenting, enforcement and general enquiries:
Community Flood Action Programme:
Visit/Write to Us:
New Shire Hall
Emery Crescent
Enterprise Campus
Alconbury Weald
Huntingdon
PE28 4YE
Phone Us:
0345 045 5200 (General Enquiries)
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