Multi-million Rotherham flood prevention bill

INSTALLING prevention measures recommended following flash flooding in 2009 would cost millions of pounds the borough council does not have.

That was the finding of a full-scale investigation carried out at every house and street affected by the freak downpour 12 months ago.

The one-in-100 year storm wreaked havoc on about 175 homes, with Holderness worst hit and many flooded for the second time in two years.

The 57-page report identifies exactly what the problems were and details the work needed to reassure residents who worry each time the clouds gather.

In total, there are plans for 29 areas in Aston, Aughton and Swallownest as well as 14 others including Laughton Common, Todwick and Thurcroft.

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The investigation itself cost the borough council £70,000, and £172,000 funding has been secured from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs for the first four locations.

Cllr Gerald Smith, Cabinet member for economic development, planning and transport, said: “Now is the time to start moving on and working on the schemes.

“I think the drainage staff have done an excellent job. What they have done is a full assessment right across all the flooded areas which were reported.

“Every little house which had problems has been included and some work has already taken place to fix broken drains on Lodge Lane in Aston.

“Obviously, residents are eager to see progress because some were wiped out for the second time in two years in 2009.

“A few residents might even have been a bit uptight about the works, but you can't just rush things.”

Defra funding will pay for temporary flood water storage and highway re-alignment on Lodge Lane and a flood relief ditch at Kensington Close, Laughton Common. It will also cover flood protection in Eastwood and East Dene.

The report says: “The recommendations within this report would cost several million pounds to implement and that money is not readily available.

“Funding for any other proposed works would have to be obtained on a scheme specific basis.

“Bids for funding from organisations such as Defra are assessed on the basis of cost against benefit. Where flooding has affected properties which have not flooded previously, and unless there is a simple solution available, works are unlikely to be cost effective and are unlikely to be successful in obtaining funding.

It adds: “Most of the works identified are over and above the responsibilities of the land owners or property owners.

“In many cases, these additional works can only be done on private land and only with the consent of the landowners, which include RMBC, Aston Parish Council and several private individuals.

“A number of bids have recently been made for the funding of further drainage improvements from the council's own capital maintenance allocation and will be considered alongside other council-wide priorities.”