Overview

Last updated 6 February 2025

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.

Property Flood Resilience update - 10 March 2025

Property Flood Resilience scheme is progressing. Lakeside Flood Solutions are due to send letters to residents of the 26 properties who have signed up to continue with the scheme. The surveys are scheduled to take place in March 2025.

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.

Stanstead Abbotts Drain

• There have been reports from residents of potential blockages at the location identified by the red pin in the map below. This is where the river becomes culverted. A CCTV survey was completed by Hertfordshire Highways in February 2024 and the culvert was found to have no structural issues or blockages.

Hertfordshire Highways

• The additional gullies that were identified to be constructed at the T-junction between Marsh Lane and Roydon Road is currently being designed. However, due to high number of utilities and networks beneath the surface this is proving very difficult. The designs are being worked on to ensure that are not causing issues to gas mains, electric mains or similar.

• Proposals for the 20mph are being amended and reduced in extents on Roydon Road in order that there is not traffic calming required in the areas affected by flooding.

Natural Flood Management

• The leaky barriers proposed on the Stanstead Abbots Drain are being progressed. The designs have been completed and the Environment Agency are working to now complete the final steps so that construction of these can take place. The earliest these barriers will be constructed in autumn 2025. Works cannot commence before bird nesting season ends in August. The EA are currently obtaining a permit which is required to carry out the works, and in the process of appointing a contractor to install the leaky barriers.

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 are working with riparian owners of the ordinary watercourse by Cappell Lane to clear any debris. Once this has been done the LLFA will carry out a topographic survey which will then inform the design and construction of the leaky barriers. Above: 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?

The Environment Agency are 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/

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.

Please note, if you prefer a flood door, these will be made of either UPVC or Composite materials. We are not likely to offer timber doors for this scheme due to reliability issues and the prohibitive costs of manufacture. You will have the chance to discuss these options during the product survey visit. 

How do I find out more?

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

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)

Maintenance of Stanstead Abbotts Drain

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.