Lowdham flood defence scheme delayed by a year due to ‘wettest weather in decades’
A £26million flood defence scheme near a Nottinghamshire village has been delayed by a year due to what officials say has been the “wettest weather in decades”.
Lowdham was flooded during Storm Babet, last October, prompting the evacuation of more than 130 homes and causing thousands of pounds in damage.
The village has been hit by severe flooding on several occasions over the past two decades, including during Storm Dennis in 2020.
Cocker Beck, which flows into the River Trent, has been noted as the main cause of flooding in the village from 1999 onwards.
A £26million flood reservoir is now being built on land at Hunters Hill Farm, Lambley Road, as part of the Lowdham Cocker Beck Flood Alleviation Scheme.
Work began on October 6 last year and was expected to be finished in winter 2025.
However the Environment Agency says it may be delayed by up to a year due to poor weather conditions.
Paul Lockhart, Environment Agency area flood and coastal risk manager for the East Midlands, told Notts TV on Friday (October 17): “Building a reservoir when we’ve had some of the wettest weather we’ve had in decades has caused us some problems in terms of getting on with the work.
“We are working very hard to do this as quickly as possible. We will do everything we possibly can to finish the job earlier than that and get this reservoir completed.”
After flooding in 1999 a scheme was developed to use the village cricket field as an overflow, however campaigners continued to call for better defences following further flooding in 2007.
Mr Lockhart says the agency and other organisations have been working on a solution ever since.
When built, the multi-million pound reservoir will hold up to 100,000 cubic-metres of water upstream.
Funding is coming from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the Environment Agency, the regional flood and coastal committee, local councils and the Department for Education.
Tim Wendels, who represents Lowdham, said the news was disappointing.
“We absolutely need this scheme to protect Lowdham as soon as possible,” he told the Local Democracy Reporting Service.
“My understanding is the programme is still variable. It could improve and the estimates as based upon current ones.
“I know the Environment Agency is determined and is trying its best.
“But it is worrying for everyone. It is a year on and it is on people’s minds.
“On the positive side we have a good flooding action group. [Newark and Sherwood] District Council and [Nottinghamshire] County Council work very hard to ensure if the worst does happen the resources are there.
“Everyone is pulling in the same direction.”
Steve Boyle, who lives in Lowdham, says he’s had a wall built around his home, alongside additional flood defences which he hopes may have some impact.
“[Storm] Babet was something different. It was not very nice. We had water inside the house which was not very nice at all,” he said.
“We are still concerned.”
At the height of the Babet incident, The Railway pub in Station Street was transformed into a refuge for residents and a base of operations for the emergency services.
General manager Drew Cox added: “It was heartbreaking to see surrounding buildings, houses and homes sadly being damaged and destroyed by the flooding.
“People are still recovering, but Lowdham is a very resilient place, they will crack on and get back to it. It is a great village to be a part of.”
Nottinghamshire County Council and Newark MP Robert Jenrick have been contacted for comment.