Worksop Flooding Information Page

Despite the economic unviability of a large capital scheme, we are still committed to identifying what other options may be possible. The impacts of Storm Babet and Storm Henk have now furthered our understanding of flood risk; so, using data that has been collected by our Community Information Officers, we are now investigating what more can be done to pursue an integrated approach to address flood risk from all sources. To do this, a multi-agency approach is required due to the complexity of the flooding mechanisms in Worksop. Therefore, we are working closely with our partners to identify potential solutions to the predominant sources of flooding, specifically in light of the impacts experienced during the recent storms. We are currently undertaking the following actions:

• Main River and Asset Maintenance: 

Assets are any natural or man-made structures or features that help manage the risk of flooding. For example, flood walls or earth embankments.

We receive funding to carry out our routine maintenance works on Main Rivers, based upon the total number of flood risk assets within the area, as well as each assets maintenance needs. Regarding the maintenance of the Ryton and assets associated with this watercourse, we are pursuing the following actions:

• De-siltation of the Ryton through the town centre and downstream.
• De-siltation of the Canch.
• River Ryton conveyance and tree works through the town centre and downstream.
• Investigate further options for asset management at the Canch.

• Hydraulic modelling

We have undertaken a review of our hydraulic model for the Ryton. This has highlighted various amendments and updates which are needed to ensure our understanding of the flood mechanisms are as accurate as possible. We are therefore now in the process of updating our hydraulic model to better understand the fluvial flood regime of the Ryton and its tributaries. We have also commissioned hydraulic modelling of the Bull Brook (the ordinary watercourse which joins the Ryton on Central Avenue) and will integrate this into our Ryton model to better understand the interactions between these watercourses during flood events. Undertaking this further modelling work will allow us to test the technical feasibility of potential options to alleviate flood risk.

• Partnership working

We are working closely with Nottinghamshire County Council and Severn Trent to further investigate surface water and fluvial (river) interactions. We are also working with Bassetlaw District Council to identify future partnership working with regards to the long-term vision for Worksop’s future regeneration and development plans.

• Options testing

The Strategic Outline Case, completed in 2022, identified that a 60 meter flood wall along Priorswell Road could be a cost beneficial option. Prior to the recent storms in 2023 and 2024, we commissioned hydraulic modelling to test if this option would be technically feasible. However, the unanticipated flood mechanisms experienced during the most recent storms has prompted the requirement for a review and subsequent update of our hydraulic model of the River Ryton. The flood wall option will therefore need to be re-tested using this updated hydraulic model to reassess the technical feasibility and ensure that there is no increase in flood risk elsewhere. It is possible that once the modelling work has been completed, other options for alleviating flood risk will also be tested. However, it is important to note that although there may be technically feasible solutions, flood alleviation schemes must be cost beneficial in order to proceed.  

Multi-Agency

• Ryton Natural Flood Management Project:

On the 23^rd of February 2024, the Government announced the 40 projects which have been selected to benefit from a pot of £25 million of funding as part of the Natural Flood Management Programme. We are pleased to confirm that the Natural Flood Management project proposal for the Ryton catchment (covering Worksop and Shireoaks) has been selected as a successful project and will receive funding as part of this programme. We will be working in partnership with Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust and Nottinghamshire County Council to deliver a multi-year, multi-benefit scheme across the Ryton catchment, delivering a suite of NFM measures to help alleviate flood risk downstream. Bassetlaw District Council will also be involved as a key partner. The Environment Agency is managing the new Programme with work taking place from now until March 2027. Natural flood management processes protect, restore, and mimic the natural functions of catchments and floodplains to slow and store water, thereby increasing flood resilience, as well as providing numerous other environmental benefits. A collaborative community effort, particularly with landowners, will be integral to the success of this project. 

More information coming soon.