Flood-hit village welcomes 'natural' defence work

The work has seen bends restored in a watercourse and earth banks put across a slope

Campaigners have welcomed the completion of new flood defences for a Nottinghamshire village.

Woodborough has seen several major incidents in recent years and its flood action group was formed four years ago.

The county council has now unveiled the results of a £220,000 scheme on Woodborough Beck which includes earth embankments, wooden barriers to slow flow and restoring bends to promote water catchment.

Amanda Mellor, from the group, said she was "delighted" but warned they would only know how effective it was when heavy rains returned.

Amanda Mellor (second left) along with officials and other campaigners, have worked together on the scheme

Woodborough's most recent flooding was in October 2023 when Storm Babet led to the beck overflowing into dozens of houses.

The new scheme was led by the county council’s flood risk management team and delivered by Trent Rivers Trust with support from the Environment Agency, the flood action group and the landowner.

Work has also seen a previously covered section of the watercourse ‘daylighted’ or reopened, allowing it to flow naturally above ground and store more water.

Ms Mellor said: "We have been delighted that finally Nottinghamshire County Council have been able to install some natural flood management.

"We are told it should reduce peak flow by 40% in a one-in-30-year storm.

"Unfortunately no-one knows what a one-in-30-year storm is and we have certainly had more than one storm in the past 30 years that impacted us.

"So it is the beginning of a lot more flood alleviation work which is needed in the village."

She confirmed they would continue to press for a more substantial scheme to minimise risks further.

Woodborough has been flooded several times, most recently in October 2023

Nick Wilding, project manager at Trent Rivers Trust, said: “Nature is our first line of defence and a solution we can no longer ignore as increasing flood risk continues to disrupt communities.

"Woodborough is an encouraging example of our commitment to working with, rather than against nature".

Neil Clarke, county council cabinet member for transport and environment, said: “We are delighted to have secured funding to bring this scheme to fruition.

"Not only will it help to protect homes from flooding but it will also improve biodiversity and ecology in the area.

"This scheme represents a significant step forward in our efforts to create a more sustainable and resilient community."

The scheme has been funded through the Regional Flood and Coastal Committees Local Levy (£122,000), the Environment Agency (£45,000) and Nottinghamshire County Council (£55,000).