Trent levels receding

The A617 between Newark and Kelham finally re-opened yesterday morning — a week after heavy rains caused flooding that shut the road.

By Friday the Trent had risen by more than 3ft and people living near the river were warned their homes could flood, particularly if heavy rain continued in Derbyshire.

That threat subsided, however, and flood alert warnings were lifted on Wednesday.

The Trent is still being monitored although it is expected to return to normal levels by the end of the weekend.

Six caravans that were moved from Tolney Lane to the nearby cattle market lorry park were able to return on Monday.

When the river was at its highest, water filled gardens along the Trent at Kelham.

Wyke Lane, Farndon, disappeared under almost 3ft of water, which lapped at the steps of The Britannia pub.

The licensee, Mrs Sarah Haughton, was able to feed swans from the front door.

She said: “The water would have had to rise another three or four feet before it entered the pub, but it is still quite frightening to look out of the window and see water flowing right outside.”

About 1,600 sandbags were delivered to homes in Southwell, Oxton, Thurgarton, Boughton, Balderton, Lowdham and Girton, by Newark and Sherwood District Council.

Pitches at Newark Rugby Club and Newark Cricket Club on Kelham Road were flooded.

The facilities chairman at the rugby club, Mr Graham Macfarlane, said the buildings were on raised foundations to protect them.

Games were cancelled at Southwell Rugby Club because pitches were waterlogged.

Newark Cricket Club’s ground may not recover in time for the start of the season after it was covered by about 3ft of water.

The club’s facilities secretary, Mr Martin Briggs, said: “After last year’s flooding our groundsmen did a tremendous amount of work and we were three-quarters of the way to repairing the ground, and now we’re going to have to start all over again.

“We are hoping it won’t affect the start of the season, which is just over three months away, but deep down I think we realise that it is unlikely we will be able to use the ground at least for the first few weeks.”

The Castle Barge pub at The Wharf, Newark, was shut for three days.

The licensee, Mr Frank Dyson, said: “The water came on to The Wharf so access to the Barge wasn’t possible because the ramps were too steep.”