Agenda item

The Public Rights of Way Officer provided the annual update on flood risk management. Flood risk was a combination of the probability (likelihood or chance), of an event happening and the consequences (impact), if it occurred.

The Middlesbrough drainage system was extensive and complex in nature comprising open and culverted watercourses and a surface water/combined sewerage system. Flooding could come from a variety of sources including surface water run off, ordinary watercourses, surcharging sewers and from road gullies. Surface water flooding occurred when intense rainfall, often of short duration, was unable to permeate into the ground or enter drainage systems quickly enough, resulting in ponding or overland flows. It can cause considerable problems in urban areas. During periods of heavy rainfall standing water may accumulate even if the road gullies were in good working order. Some gullies could not drain the water away fast enough and therefore would surcharge during periods of intense rain fall. These intense periods of rain fall often did not last for long and once over, the gully would usually drain away the water without needing any attention.

The Environment Agency updated their long-term flood risk information, as part of the National Flood Risk Assessment (NaFRA2) at the end of January 2025 with further map updates during 2025. An initial assessment of the new maps covering Middlesbrough appeared to show an increase in the extent of flooding. A desktop assessment of the new maps was being undertaken to identify those areas which may be a risk of flooding and require further investigation or modelling.

A Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (SFRA) gave an overview of areas that may be susceptible to flooding. It provided a comprehensive overview of all flood sources (river, surface water, groundwater, etc) across Middlesbrough, now and in the future, including the impact of climate change. The SFRA was a two-level process used by the planning authority to assess flood risk from all sources.

•         Level 1 – provides a high-level overview to apply the Sequential Test

•         Level 2 – offers detailed, site-specific assessments if development is necessary in high-risk areas, incorporating climate change impacts, flood depths and velocity

The Strategic Studies highlighted and prioritised the areas of greatest risk from combined flooding within each of the catchment areas. Middlesbrough was covered by several catchment areas. Each area would have a Stage 1 and Stage 2 study undertaken. Stage 1 focused on the collection, collation, analysis and prioritisation of information to identify areas of High Risk from Flooding Stage 2 focused on identifying opportunities within the top 3 or 4 High Risk areas to reduce or prevent flooding. The Public Rights of Way Officer advised the Panel that next time he would provide a map that showed the areas of greatest risk from combined flooding in Middlesbrough next time he attended the meeting.

The Environment Agency ‘Medium term plan’ was a rolling list of schemes which were refreshed yearly and were funded from Government funding allocation. The funding process was going through a review / change and so currently the programme was only over 2 years and the current funding runs from 26/27 – 27/28 Following a recent refresh of the EA’s Medium Term Plan. The following potential scheme areas were included:

•         Shevington Grove, Marton 24/25 (105 Properties)

•         Connaught Road, Nunthorpe 27/28 (27 properties)

•         Gresham Road, Newport 27/28 (40 properties)

•         NIDP Study - Thornfield Road 26/27 assessment

The Public Rights of Way Officer advised on the following schemes that had been completed in recent years:

•         Saltersgill / Beechwood fields Scheme was completed in 2021 and better protects around 306 properties.

•         Marton West Beck Scheme was completed in 2022 and better protect 500 properties.

•         Ormesby Beck Restoration Scheme was completed in 2022/2023

•         Cornwall Close was completed in 2024 and better protects around 5 properties.

AGREED as follows that:

1.      The information provided was received and noted.

2.      The Preliminary Flood Risk Assessment be circulated to Members.