Theme: Activity 2: Urban Water Retention Techniques Chelmsford Case study: Floodcom project Positive water management in lowland areas facing climate change Overview Partners used and shared new and modern water retention techniques in this activity. The urban water retention techniques included the challenges of working with historically important landscape features which may impinge on flood defences such as underground World War II piping systems and an ancient pilgrimage route in Chelmsford. Breda undertook planning designs for its scheme at the Spinolaschans/Spinola entrenchment area and shared knowledge and experience with Chelmsford City Council and the whole partnership. Context of the scheme Nationally, it is a high Government priority to reduce flood risk to homes and businesses. The Environment Agency is the national body responsible for protecting and enhancing the environment in England, including the delivery of flood risk management projects. It is funded from central government via the Department for Environment and Rural Affairs. At a local level this is translated into Chelmsford City Council’s corporate strategy, which sets out a long term vision for the city area, and its local planning policies. A commitment was made between the Environment Agency and the City Council in 2008 to deliver a flood defence up stream of the city centre and the scheme was incorporated into the Local Plan in 2012. Description of the area Although the Flood Alleviation Scheme (FAS) is located in Margaretting, the embankment will hold water upstream to protect Chelmsford city centre. Margaretting village itself is not currently, and will not be, at risk from flooding. The amount of water flowing through the gate will dictate when it is closed, and this will be detected by an automatic system. Once the threat of flooding has reduced, the water will be gradually released through the sluice gate. The main aspects of the FAS include the construction of the embankment including sluice gates across the Wid valley, secondary embankment to protect two houses, Brook Farm and Tyelands, flood wall next to the railway line, highway woks including passing places on access route and embankment including sluice gates across the Wid valley. Technological innovations of the scheme Chelmsford City Council and the Environment Agency have pioneered a new innovative approach to funding, through adopting a partnership approach. Instead of the Environment Agency providing all the funding for projects the new approach matches their funding with contributions from partnership organisations. In many cases funding is now being topped up by local government, where the local authority has flood protection as one of its priorities. Summary Chelmsford lies at the junction of three rivers, the Wid, Can and Chelmer. These rivers collect rainwater from north and west Essex; the catchment area for the rivers extends to 650 square kilometres. Impacts There are currently over 1,200 residential and commercial properties at risk of future flooding in Chelmsford. A Flood Alleviation Scheme (FAS) will significantly reduce this figure. The chosen site at Margaretting, on the river Wid valley, has been selected as a suitable solution. Contact details: Chelmsford City Council Andy Bestwick E: [email protected] T: +44 (0) 1245 606 819 www.floodcom.eu