Retford Flooding Information Page

The EA, alongside partners, will be holding a drop in session for all in Retford to come and speak to us and ask questions regarding flooding. The event will take place on Wednesday 4th December at Retford Library, 17 Churchgate, DN22 6PE from 9:00AM - 12:00PM. 

Please see the flyer below for more information and we'd encourage you to send any questions in if you're unable to make the event in person. 

CCTV inspections of the culverted watercourses within the Retford Beck area have shown that there is a need to undertake desilts and/or blockage removals. Both works have been undertaken by AMCO Giffen on behalf of the Environment Agency and requires specialist sub-contractors who will desilt and survey the culverts (Intelligent Drainage Solutions Ltd). 

CCTV culvert inspection and reporting requirements

The contractor provides a CCTV gang working on site including pan and tilt survey units and electro-location equipment for the identification of defects, connections, and the location of changes in direction along the survey route.

Desilt/ blockage removal requirements

The work includes cleansing and deep suction desilting works which will help clear tonnes of silt and debris from within the culvert. The desilts/blockage removals will require specialist equipment such as water efficient recycling High Pressure Water Jets (HPWJ) units. These sustainable methods save an average of 210,000 gallons per month compared to conventional vehicles.

How the work will improve flood risk management

The desilting and blockage removals within the culverts will increase capacity and thus the conveyance of water. Currently, there are areas of debris and silt within the Retford Beck culvert system which may be contributing to conveyance issues.

Additionally, the work will allow us to gain crucial data and understanding of the culverts condition and structural integrity, resulting in careful planning and preparation of future improvement works.

Examples of the data include; measurements, connection points, defects, changes in material/shape/direction, buried services (utilities) and more.

Retford Beck to receive a new Flood Warning Service in Winter 2024

Approximately 600 properties at risk of flooding from the Retford Beck will soon be able to register to receive flood warnings.

Flood warnings inform the public of an imminent risk of flooding to their home or business, and can be sent via phone call, text message or email. The warnings aim to give people time to prepare and respond in order to stay safe and protect their property. When receiving a flood warning, actions you should consider include moving belongings, family and pets off the ground or to safety, relocating your vehicle to higher ground and installing any property flood resilience measures you may have.

This service will be available from late November. More information will be published closer to the time, including details of how to register.

Following the decision to no longer proceed with the reservoir Scheme, the EA and Partners have changed their focus and other works are being undertaken to manage flood risk from the Retford Beck. 

Retford Beck Culvert renewal and replacement

The existing Retford Beck culverts beneath Blackstope Lane and Grove Lane are in poor condition. The fluvial capacity of the culverts is reduced by utility crossings in multiple locations. The EA are progressing a capital project to replace the culverts, restoring the asset condition and the ability to convey flows. Ahead of commissioning this work, fluvial modelling has been completed and demonstrates a positive change in flood risk. The EA are commissioned utility surveys along Grove Lane and Blackstope Lane during July 2024. The surveys are being used to inform the design for the culvert replacement works and the accompanying business case. The current programme targets business case assurance in 2025 and, if assured, construction to start in 2025. 

The EA are developing a Flood Warning Service for properties affected by the Retford Beck. This service will provide advanced warning when flooding is possible. The Flood Warning Service will use weather forecasts and live river level monitoring to trigger alerts and warnings. A new gauge is being installed this summer to Retford Beck North, and we expect the service to be ready by the end of 2024. 

We are assessing high level options which could have the potential to alleviate flood risk from the River Idle. These will be economically analysed to understand whether there are any cost-beneficial options which can be delivered.

A meeting was held with the Internal Drainage Board (IDB) on the 28 March 2024 to discuss what flood alleviation measures may be viable to alleviate flooding to the properties on Darrel Road. A list of potential EA options has now been agreed. However, to understand whether these options will be technically feasible, and will provide the required flood risk benefit, we must first assess them using hydraulic modelling.

As the Carr Dyke is not a Main River, it is not currently included within our EA hydraulic model of the River Idle. Therefore, we have commissioned additional modelling of the Carr Dyke to be understand the flooding mechanisms between the two watercourses. Once the baseline modelling of the Dyke has been completed and integrated into our River Idle model, the options which were identified during the meetings will be tested. This process has now commenced, and surveyors have completed the initial survey of the Carr Dyke, which is required for the modelling. Once the options have been tested and technical feasibility has been established, economic assessments will be carried out to understand whether any of the options are economical viable, in line with the Defra Partnership Funding Rules.

While awaiting completion of the hydraulic modelling, various works 'on the ground' will be carried out this year by the EA. Our field team will undertaking localised earthworks this summer to reinstate the level of the area identified as a 'low spot' on the bank of the River Idle. We will also be undertaking targeted 'de-silts' of the River Idle in specific sections where silt has accumulated as well as undertaking tree and vegetation maintenance. Scoping site visits have already be undertaken to identify the works needed for the low spot, de-silts and tree works and we are currently writing up the risk management paperwork needed. De-silting works along the Idle will also commence this summer. There are various constraints outlined in the environmental legislation we must adhere to which will also dictate the timings. Tree works will be undertaken in the autumn/winter once bird nesting seas has finished. No additional hydraulic modelling is required for these works to proceed.