The Ryde Flood Action Group held a meeting last week to discuss the recent problems with flooding in the area.
As well as affected residents, those attending the meeting included; Ian Tripp and Richard Eastaff from the Environment Agency, Garry Stretch from Island Roads, Nick John and Keith Williams from Southern Water, IW Fire Service chief Steve Apter, PSCSOs Steve Hull and Darren Fennell, as well as Councillors Wayne Whittle, Phil Jordan, Ivor Warlow and Roger Whitby-Smith. Marc Griffin from Island Roads was representing the Isle of Wight council.
At least 20 residents and businesses reported flooding to their properties, with many saying it’d happened several times before.
Infrastructure problems?
One businessman, Graham Pearce of Island Printers, told the meeting he’d been seriously flooded twice, the latest time with costs reaching a whopping £70,000.
He said he’d previously blamed the Environment Agency for the flooding, but now believes it is more to do with the infrastructure, saying that water was rising up from the drain outside his premises.
Problems experienced by residents
Several properties on The Strand experienced flooded basements with water and sewage rising. Properties in Simeon Street, West Hill Road and St. Thomas’ Street also experienced flooding and damage to their premises.
As well as the inconvenience, rising costs of insurance and the ability to no longer rent out properties were some of the issues causing great distress to residents.
Agencies answer questions
A series of questions were put to the various agencies.
1. What is causing basement properties to flood before the Monkton Brook bursts its banks?
Ian Tripp (EA) said that as the Brook rises, the CSO operates, when the sewer gets overwhelmed. However, it gets locked when the water level is too high and within the banks. This occurs from intense rainfall and high water in the Brook. Keith Williams (SW) said that he needs to take details and look into this.
2. What and how effective are the Brook flaps permitting water to ingress the Simeon Recreation Ground and who controls them?
Ian Tripp (EA) said that the flaps will allow the water on the recreation ground to drain. He said that he has looked at them (last Tuesday) and they looked OK, although a couple were underwater and it is hard to check. It was said that the recreation ground was flooding well before the Brook overflowed; this could have been ground water.
3. How does surface water enter the sewage system causing drains to back up with resultant toilet flushing failure, again before the Brook burst its banks?
Same reply as to Q.1.
4. The Station pumps when unmanned are not always heard to be running. Do these have an automatic cut-out system/time phase?
Ian Tripp (EA) said that they do not, but cannot always be heard. There is a sensor for water level which initiates the working of the second pump. Wayne Whittle asked if the water level was set too high, Ian said that it was not. Tina Clift asked the Flood Warnings could be issued before flooding, Ian Tripp said that the warnings are based on river readings. Wayne Whittle asked if Southern Water could give out warnings. Keith Williams (SW) said that he would look into it and get the information back.
5. Are the auxiliary pumps only used during the time of high water?
Ian Tripp said that auxiliary pumps are there in case of pumps going down.
6. Roadway kerbside drains become completely overwhelmed, made worse by debris obstruction. This exacerbates residents’ own basement pumping out efforts requiring instant inspection
Garry Stretch (IR) said that when there are storm conditions, debris is washed down the drains, if the Fire Service are pumping out homes, this could go into the combined system. There is a need to discuss this with the Fire Service.
7. Should Agencies not now make better representation than previously at Housing Development Planning level which only adds to the already dire existing problems?
Marc Griffin said that flooding issues are a big part of planning.
Environment Agency’s findings
Ian Tripp said the points raised at the meeting had already been considered by them. He added,
- Tanks would not be very effective
- Aerial photos have been taken
- EA know that the electrical supply to the pumps needs to be upgraded.
- Drainage into Canoe Lake has been considered, but the overflow pipe does not work at present.
- The sand that accumulates behind the Marina has caused a problem, also the sands build-up by the outfall cause blockages
- EA are currently writing up an appraisal report, this does not mean that there will money allocated instantly.
Observations from other agencies
Nick John from Southern Water agreed the Agencies need to meet weekly, whilst Garry Stretch from Island Roads acknowledged there’s a need to look at maintenance being carried out more frequently.
Marc Griffin (IWC) advised he’d noted many issues from the meeting and agreed there needs to be more co-ordination. He would work closely with the other agencies.
Date and time of next meeting – Tuesday, 18th, February, at 5 pm at The Simeon Arms
Our thanks to Sue and Wayne for sharing their notes from the meeting.
Image: © @TalktoTippers
