A ‘COMPLEX’ watercourse identified as the source of misery for residents whose homes have flooded three times in less than a decade will receive major improvements as soon as next year, the Chronicle can reveal.
Barnsley Council bosses - who have been working alongside the Environment Agency and Yorkshire Water to understand the issues posed on Lang Avenue in Lundwood - confirmed this week that a ‘detailed’ suite of works are set to be signed off in December ahead of appointing a contractor.
Flash floods forced residents out of their homes for almost a year due to the damage caused in November 2019 and February 2020, with worst-hit houses being swamped with metre-deep water.
It was hit hard again when Storm Babet struck almost a year ago to the day, with residents reporting two-feet-deep surges of flood water from the nearby River Dearne.
Environment Agency rain gauges recorded 73.4mm of rainfall over the three-day storm’s initial 24-hour period.
However, council bosses told the Chronicle that although the Dearne poses a threat during times of heavy rainfall, it’s the area’s ‘complex’ sewage water system - including underground culverts - that’s been found to be in need of repair work and remodelling.
Culverts - which channel water underneath a road, railway or embankment - have come under scrutiny after residents alleged many of the structures had become blocked.
Coun James Higginbottom, cabinet spokesperson for environment and highways, said: “We have been working with partners from environment consultancy firm the William Saunders Partnership, Yorkshire Water and the Environment Agency to identify and trace the causes of flooding around Lang Avenue.
“This is a complex water system where multiple sources of flood water combine to create the situation where flooding has previously occurred.
“WSP have carried out CCTV work on the existing sewer network and undertook road level surveys.
“This involved determining when, where and how flooding occurs.
“We have also carried out modelling of the existing road to look at different storm events over a period of years to protect against climate change.
“We are completing a detailed plan of works which will be finalised in December and this includes an improved water network design as well as the construction of a replacement road and road surface where historically the water has caused flooding.
“Once this phase has been approved by all parties, we will go out to tender to appoint a contractor and expect this work to be completed by the spring or summer next year.
“Whilst we appreciate that this project has taken longer to deliver than residents may have expected, understanding the complexity of the water system, where flooding occurs, how it occurs and what can be designed to reduce future flooding risk was essential for the programme to be successful for the residents in and around the area.”
Cash has been set aside from the council’s own budget for flood prevention work but Lang Avenue is also included in the Connected By Water project, which is being overseen by the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA).
“The impact of flooding is far-reaching - it can cause serious injury and loss of life,” a statement said.
“It leads to long-term misery for those whose homes have flooded, severely affecting mental health and wellbeing.
“For every single person whose home is flooded, it is estimated that 16 further people are impacted.
“No two flood events are the same and the impacts depend on a range of factors including the time of year, duration of rainfall, ground conditions and level of preparation.
“We are exploring all measures to adapt to and mitigate the impacts of climate change and to reduce the impacts of flood events.
“We have made good progress in the Connected By Water alliance, delivering flood alleviation schemes and building our capacity to respond to floods.”
Barnsley North MP Dan Jarvis told the Chronicle anti-flooding work was essential to residents and businesses.
“Throughout my time as the local MP, I have been working hard to deliver a long-term, sustainable solution to the very long-running issue of flooding on the street - made ever more urgent by devastating floods in recent years.
“It is welcome to see that the multi-agency partnership is working effectively and that transformative flood defence and mitigation work will be being delivered on the ground.”
