Future Flood Resilience for Chelmsford Project- Information Page

Overview

Welcome to the Future Resilience for Chelmsford project page

The Environment Agency have created this page to provide easy access to information on the Future Flood Resilience for Chelmsford project. This page will provide the most up to date information on the scheme as it progresses, so please keep checking back for what's new.

Last update: May 2024

Photograph above: River Chelmer near Bond Street

Background

The Environment Agency, in partnership with Chelmsford City Council, are investigating options for reducing flood risk to the city of Chelmsford.

Following the successful completion of the flood risk management works at Chelmer Village back in the 2010s, the Environment Agency is now working to identify other measures that may be required to improve the resilience of Chelmsford to flood risk.

With a changing climate, the flood risk to the city is only likely to increase. Therefore, it is paramount that the Environment Agency, with Chelmsford City Council and other stakeholders, work together to better understand, prepare for, and mitigate the causes and impacts of flooding.

What is currently happening?

The first phase of the project is to improve the understanding of the existing flood risk in the city. To do this, the Environment Agency are updating the flood risk modelling.

The modelling will be used to identify which areas are at highest risk from river flooding in the city. It will also be used to update the GOV.UK website with the latest flood mapping, and to refine our flood warning service.

What is happening on the ground?

A key input to the modelling is topographical survey data. This data provides information on the shape and size of the river channel, structures in the watercourse, as well as information on the ground levels of features away from the river.

Contractors working for the Environment Agency will be collecting this data throughout the city in May and June 2024. The map below shows the survey extent.

This type of survey work is undertaken periodically by the Environment Agency across the country to support our flood risk management functions. This is separate from the Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (SFRA) prepared by consultants for the City Council which supports and informs where new development can be located within the Council’s Local Plan.

Survey Information

Premier Surveys will be carrying out the survey, and the surveyors will always carry identification badges. To effectively collect accurate data, the surveyors will need to gain access to privately owned land. Access inside houses and buildings will not be required. The Environment Agency would be most grateful if private landowners could allow access to enable the collection of this important data.

What are the next steps for the project?

The survey data will be used to update our flood risk model, which is expected to be completed by Spring 2025. The project team will then develop potential options to reduce flood risk, consult with stakeholders and the public, and then identify a preferred set of economically viable, buildable and sustainable measures.