Overview

Last updated 13 September 2024

We have created this information page to keep residents informed of current and future developments to the Stanstead Abbotts Drain. We will be updating this page as the project progresses.

Flooding in Stanstead Abbotts on 2 and 3 May 2024

• A weather warning was issued for thunderstorms and heavy rainfall by the Met Office
• The rainfall that fell was intense and fell over a short period of time
• The past winter has been the 2^nd wettest on record. The only wetter winter was in 2001. As a result, the ground has been saturated for majority of the winter period and any areas prone to groundwater flooding have been close to, or exceeding, the surface. When rainfall events occur in these circumstances there is no room for infiltration, so there are higher volumes of runoff which are directed towards the low points in the topography.
• At Roydon Road, Marsh Lane and Netherfield Lane, water spilled out of Stanstead Abbotts Drain due to high volumes of water and blockages from debris collecting at footbridges. Water flowed down Hunsdon Road, Roydon Road, onto Marsh Lane and Netherfield Lane.
• Cappell Lane was impacted due to the extremely high volumes of water and blockages within the ordinary watercourse. The water came out of bank of the ordinary watercourse and flowed towards the low points.

Next steps

Partnership working

• Hertfordshire County Council (HCC) as the highway authority, HCC as the Lead Local Flood Authority and the Environment Agency (EA) will be attending regular multi-agency meetings (MAM).  Progress and updates will be reported back to residents on this webpage. A representative from East Herts District Council will also be invited to attend.

• The Environment Agency and Lead Local Flood Authority met on site with a Stanstead Abbotts Flood Warden to discuss what support that they and others can provide.

Hertfordshire Highways

• HCC, as the highway authority and LLFA, are exploring the owners of the assets at the end of the drainage network on Cappell Lane which take the watercourse below the canal. If an owner can be identified, then clearance works to check that the asset is functioning properly will be requested to be carried out.
• The LLFA and EA are starting engagement with landowners to investigate the potential for land management options to slow the flow from the larger areas of land that create runoff.
• HCC Highways are waiting for the cost and designs for the new gullies on Roydon Road. Once signed off permit (e.g. road closures) will need to be applied for and the works planned.
• Ringway is investigating the flooding on Amwell Lane.
• The EA and LLFA are discussing the traffic calming scheme proposed by Hertfordshire Highways on Roydon Road.  We would not support any measures that have the potential to increase flood risk.

Natural Flood Management

• The EA have commissioned a consultant to undertake detailed designs of a Natural Flood Management scheme on Stanstead Abbotts Drain, which are due for completion in the autumn of 2024. Construction is proposed for 2025.

Property Flood Resilience

• The EA, in partnership with HCC, have offered residents who are the highest risk of flooding or who have internally flooded previously the chance to be part of a Property Flood Resilience Scheme.   Surveys for properties that meet eligibility criteria began in May 2024.

Street cleansing

• East Herts District Council (EHDC) and North Herts District Council (NHDC) waste team have a delegated cleansing team which covers East Hertfordshire and North Hertfordshire. The waste team will attend regular Multi-agency meetings and continue to engage with the EA and other partner agencies on a best response to resolve highlighted areas of concern.
• In conjunction with their contractor, EHDC continue to provide a regular cleanse to the districts following a schedule. A winter maintenance programme has been established to highlight any areas of which have additional requirements.
• On receipt of flood alerts or reports of flooding from the Environment Agency or Hertfordshire County Council, EHDC will provide additional inspections and prioritise cleansing in areas if there could be any detrimental impacts due to street cleansing.

Cappell Lane

• The LLFA has implemented water level monitoring into the ordinary watercourse on Cappell Lane. This has been done to understand the catchment better. This will also be used to compare before and after implementation of the proposed leaky barriers and to help understand the impact they have within this area.
• Highways structures team have cleared out all the debris that was within the culvert beneath Cappell Lane. 
• The Lead Local Flood Authority, Natural England, EA and the owner of the land to the north of Cappell Lane recently conducted a site visit to Cappell Lane.
• During this site visit it was found that the landowner has installed a buffer strip within the last 2-3 years (indicated in red on the map below).  This will be slowing the flow off the field to the east reduce the volume of runoff from this area.
• The leaky barriers project being run by HCC in this area was discussed and the landowner expressed his approval for this to move forward within the ordinary watercourse on his land.
• The debris within the culvert parallel to the public right of way was explored and the landowner will be carrying out their riparian responsibility by having this area cleared of debris.
• It was a positive site visit and Natural England will continue to work with the landowner exploring other ways in which the volume of water coming from the catchment can be reducedAbove: Existing 'buffer strip'

Roles and Responsibilities

There are many organisations involved in managing flood risk. We have put together this diagram to help residents understand who is responsible for the different aspects of flooding and who to report issues to.

Flood risk in Stanstead Abbotts

Stanstead Abbotts has a history of flooding.  Most notably in the winter 2013/14, the community experienced extreme weather resulting in significant flooding from the Stanstead Abbotts Drain and surface water.  Several properties were flooded internally.

Flooding was exacerbated by large amounts of debris collecting on the trash screen underneath Roydon Road. High rainfall and debris caused the river to overflow.

Surface water flooding was also exacerbated by this event as well as the high level of rainfall in the area which meant the highway network was not able to cope, allowing water to follow the natural topography in the area to low spots and spill over onto properties.

What are the Environment Agency and Hertfordshire County Council proposing?

To reduce the impact of flooding, the Environment Agency, in partnership with Hertfordshire County Council, are offering eligible residents the opportunity to receive up to £8,000 towards the installation of Property Flood Resilience measures at their home.

The Environment Agency are also investigating Natural Flood Management opportunities on the upper reaches of Stanstead Abbotts Drain.

What is property flood resilience (PFR)?

PFR is a combination of products installed at your property to make it more resilient to flooding. PFR is tailored to each individual property.

Examples of PFR products include:

• Flood doors or barriers to reduce the amount of water entering your property.
• Automatic closing airbricks which close to prevent water from entering the property.
• Non-return valves fitted to pipes which exit the property, ensuring wastewater only flows in one direction and prevents backflow.
• Wall defence such as water sealants, re-pointing and rendering.
• Pumps to remove water.

PFR products offer an alternative and more permanent means for homeowners to manage their flood risk, without having to rely on sandbags. They are cost-effective and easy to implement, providing peace of mind and helping to reduce the stress and damage that flooding causes.

For further information on PFR you can visit https://consult.environment-agency.gov.uk/hnl/propertyfloodresilience/

PFR grant eligibility

The Environment Agency in partnership with Hertfordshire County Council will be inviting eligible residents to apply for a PFR grant of up to £8,000 to cover the costs of PFR products and installation.

To be eligible your property must meet one of the following criteria.

• Be at ‘Significant’ or greater risk of flooding from Stanstead Abbotts Drain or suffered from internal flooding within the last 10 years
• Be at ‘Significant’ or greater surface water flood risk, suffered from internal flooding within the last 10 years or have externally flooded whilst sharing a party wall of an internally flooded property within the last 10 years.

How will the scheme work?

1. In 2023 eligible residents were invited to complete an application form to register for a free initial PFR property survey.
2. The Environment Agency have appointed a surveyor (JBA consulting) to attend properties in May / June 2024 to confirm if the property is suitable for PFR and which products are recommended.
3. Should residents wish to proceed, the Environment Agency will appoint a supplier to install the chosen products. The Environment Agency will pay up to £8,000 towards these costs.
4. Once installed, a post installation survey will be carried out to ensure the PFR products have been installed correctly.

How do I find out more?

For more detailed information on the PFR process you can download the ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ document below.

How do I apply?

If you meet the eligibility criteria you should have already received a letter from us. However, if you have not heard from us and believe you do meet the criteria and would like to register for the survey taking place in May / June 2024, please contact pso-hnl@environment-agency.gov.uk.

Building your flood resilience

You can take steps now to better prepare yourself for flooding and make your home more resilient. Being resilient means you are more in control. It reduces the time spent out of the house because of flooding, and the stress and upheaval of being away from your home, work and community.

• Sign up to our flood warnings: www.gov.uk/sign-up-for-flood-warnings
• Prepare a personal flood plan and be assured of what to do if it floods: Personal flood plan - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
• Prepare a community flood plan and work alongside your neighbours to better prepare for, respond to and recover from flood events: Community flood plan template - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Natural Flood Management

To complement the PFR proposals, the Environment Agency are also exploring opportunities to implement Natural Flood Management (NFM) Measures in the upper reaches of the Stanstead Abbotts Drain.

NFM involves working with nature to reduce the risk of flooding, using techniques to restore the natural functions of rivers, floodplains and the wider catchment. It aims to store water in the upper catchment and slow the rate at which water runs into rivers to help reduce flooding downstream.

We have appointed consultants to complete detailed design drawings on our behalf.  If we are able to secure the relevant agreements and permits then construction is proposed at some point in 2025.

Maintenance of Stanstead Abbotts Drain

The Environment Agency have been actively reviewing the current maintenance regime to identify any changes that may help reduce the risk of flooding. The Environment agency plan to double the frequency of watercourse maintenance on the Stanstead Abbotts Drain. Subject to funding availability, the increase will be effective from the 2024/25 financial year onwards.

The Environment Agency will continue weekly planned visits to inspect and clear the Stanstead Abbotts Drain trash screen.

Incident Response

The Environment Agency operates 24/7 incident response to monitor and attend the area for flood risk management when required. This includes remote monitoring of the Stanstead Abbotts Drain trash screen via CCTV.

In the event of a blockage in the watercourse or immediate flood risk please notify the Environment agency using the Environment Agency incident hotline on 0800 80 70 60.