With 100,000 homes in Hull and the East Riding at risk of flooding our ambition is to invest in blue green infrastructure schemes to increase surface water flood resilience.
In delivering the Living with Water schemes, we aim to involve residents and communities to co-create what the flood schemes will look like. This project is modelling a range of sustainable drainage solutions (SuDS) in Orchard Park to reduce the likelihood of flooding in the future. SuDS aim to mimic natural drainage by slowing and capturing the water flow and holding excess water during a heavy rainfall event.
ORCHARD PARK SUDS
At the head of the Hull sewer network, lies the area of Orchard Park and was one area badly affected by flooding in 2007. Surface water ran off surrounding land and quickly filled the watercourses and sewers and ponding in low spots in the area. In many cases threshold levels in homes are lower than adjacent roads or open spaces and therefore this was where flooding of property and roads occurred.
Unfortunately, because of the regions topography, once water is in the watercourses and sewers it has little velocity in terms of flow. This means that even in flood situations, water is not moving quickly through the system to discharge and therefore the backing up of systems and localised ponding occurs. Even if new “super” sewers were constructed, which would likely involve significant disruption, there would still be an issue with a lack of gravity to enable water to flow. The lack of flow was the deciding factor in the case for filling in watercourses which previously conveyed water through the city. There were a lot of issues with stagnation, pollution and odour. Therefore retrofitting SuDS to manage the flood risk, alongside improving the water quality, habitat and green spaces is a preferable option.
These schemes are designed to slow the flow of surface water into the existing watercourse and sewer system from the surrounding areas around the region. This is what the principle of the SuDS retrofits are. Its providing that storage for the water in created, managed areas so that excess flows are channelled to these areas rather than into properties or infrastructure.
From 23rd September 2024, we’ll be carrying out flood protection work by creating sustainable drainage systems in and around the green spaces off York Rd and Orchard Park Rd. Schemes in this location have been hydrologically modelled to give greatest benefit to the area.
Morrison Water Services will be carrying out this work on our behalf and their working days are Monday to Friday 8am – 5pm. We expect this work to take up to 12 weeks to complete.
Please be assured that every care will be taken by our Contractor and your co-operation is greatly appreciated. All staff will have identification with them, and they will be happy to show it to you.
We are very keen to come and talk to residents, so will be setting some community drop-ins over the next 12 weeks to talk more about our work, but if you have any queries or questions, please get in touch by emailing enquiries@livingwithwater.co.uk quoting scheme code Capital YW.204684
FAQ’s
- Will there be any disruptions to traffic routes?
At the moment we are only working on footpaths and green spaces, should we need to put in place any traffic management we will write to residents in surrounding areas well in advance.
- How long will the work take?
We are estimating subject to ground conditions around 12 weeks, but will provide regular updates on our web page, to councillors and at community drop-ins.
- What is surface water flooding?
Surface water flooding happens when rainwater does not drain away through the normal drainage systems or soak into the ground, but lies on or flows over the ground instead, causing potential risks of flooding to properties. (GOVUK)
- Who is responsible for the scheme?
The scheme will be a Living with Water scheme, meaning the parties involved in the Partnership (Yorkshire Water, Hull City Council, Environment Agency, East Riding of Yorkshire Council) would be responsible for parts of or all of the works.
- Will it cost me any money?
The scheme will not cost the resident any money. It is funded through the Living with Water Partnership which in turn has received money from the government to put in place schemes to provide blue and green infrastructure in Hull to mitigate flooding.
- Will it affect my parking?
We are working with communities to understand the use of the area so that any schemes we design compliment the overall estate.
- Will it affect playgrounds and recreational areas?
We are looking to utilise areas such as large playing fields as detention basins so that they can be used to store excess water during a heavy rainfall event. When there is a normal level or no rainfall then the areas can be used as normal.
- Will you need to come into my home?
Should we look to disconnect the rain pipes from houses, there may be a request to come into or close to your property. We will at all times, write to you in advance and ensure all personnel visiting the property have the relevant ID badges and paperwork.
