Agenda and minutes

Flooding and Drainage in Deal & Walmer - Introductions

The members of the Panel introduced themselves before taking questions.

Mike Tomlinson, Infrastructure Area Plan Manager, Southern Water: responsible for assets such as pipework and pumping stations; had met some of audience before. Here to take on points and answer questions. Need to set up flood group with bodies including KCC and technical representatives present at this meeting in order to  understand concerns, diagnose problems, identify issues and make interim plan.

Paul Marshall, Operations Delivery Team Leader, Environment Agency: responsible for maintenance of rivers and coastal defences northwards from Sandown Castle. Used bulldozer to push up shingle banks ready for winter and again in February/March. Monitored winter activity of beach, particularly during easterly winds of force 5 and over, including daily patrols.  Work on Penfield sewer near Matthews Close linked through Fowlmead, Lydden Valley and the River Stour involved clearing out blockages and liaison with biodiversity/fisheries team.

Andy Crates, Asset Systems Management Team Leader, Environment Agency:  responsible for longer term strategic planning and flood risk, investment planning and large capital schemes.  Team covers area from Reculver to Rye Harbour including Deal and Sandwich.

Roger Walton, Head of Property, Leisure and Waste Management, DDC: responsible for coastal defences southwards from Sandown Castle including erosion, encouraging various agencies to carry out works, liaison with agencies and public.

·        Mr Harbridge spoke in detail of flooding in Church Street, Walmer arising from surface water run-off and flash floods and the effects on blocked sewers and gullies resulting in sewer covers coming off causing extra hazards.  Bow waves from traffic driving through flood water further damaged properties. KCC provided little help apart from sandbags; DDC helped with gullies; the police cordoned off areas; and Southern Water was assisting by cleaning sewers and making plans to remedy the situation.  There appeared to be no current budget for proposed multi-million pound schemes but a funding bid for 2010-15 had been put in to OFWAT, however there was no ‘Plan B’ if this bid failed.  Church Street should be a priority and an update on the funding bid was expected in January 2010.  Why had KCC not undertaken remodelling work at junction of Church Road to prevent storm surge as was happening right now at the Dover Road/Cornwall Road junction?  Mike Tomlinson advised that the funding bid was a complex process and customers’ views on willingness to contribute to the scheme were required first.  When funding had been secured, capital schemes could be determined as part of the business plan and prioritised later. No update could be expected before January 2010. Cllr. Kit Smith reported on an earlier meeting held with Cllr Julie Rook and Kent Highways which confirmed that the problems were known to Highways who had promised a CCTV survey of this area.  Mike Tomlinson explained that roles and responsibilities between agencies were unclear and changes of personnel did not help the situation.  Similar problems were experienced in Manor Road where mitigation measures had been tried including installing an additional drainage system.

·        Mr Derek Murray thanked all parties for bringing this topic to the Forum for discussion and referred to the many years of suffering from the problems identified. He hoped that the new KCC Councillors would be able to take action.  No drains had been cleared in Church Lane for the last 15 years and immediate action was necessary before householders were refused insurance on flood risk grounds.  Cllr Kit Smith reported that the meeting referred to earlier had discussed the number of gullied cleaned over the previous 6 year period and Highways had produced spreadsheets showing 70% clearance in 2004, 90% on 2005, 95% in 2006, 99% in 2007 and 80% in 2008.  As these figures were hotly disputed by members of the public Cllr Smith undertook to investigate further and to ask for copies of the spreadsheets to be made available in the Town Hall for residents to examine.

·        Mr David Reid referred to the effects of fallen leaves on blocking gullies, increased surface water run-off as a result of development, and storm water tanks being installed in Milldale Close and under Victoria Park.  Even after these measures had been taken back-flushing still occurred which indicated other underlying problems in the same area.   Cllr Friend added that similar problems were experienced in Middle Deal Road,  Albert  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.

In summing up the Chairman listed the main items to be followed up as:

i) gulley cleaning spreadsheets to be made available together with emptying schedules;

ii)  specification for gully emptying to be obtained;

iii)  identification of body which actually carried out gully emptying;

iv)  how many gully cleaning vehicles are in action and where;

v)  bad smelling drains to be identified and location details sent to Southern Water and KCC.

The Dover Joint Transport Board could provide a useful forum for discussing some of the issues raised and members of the public were invited to attend the meetings and listen to the debate.  Meeting dates could be obtained from the DDC website or by telephone.   The panel members were thanked for their contributions.

The January Forum would discuss transport issues. 

DDC’s green waste collection scheme to be fully explained at a future meeting.

The Chairman closed the meeting at 8.30pm.

Chairman’s welcome

Cllr Trevor Bond welcomed those attending and the Notes of the previous Forum were approved.

Matters Arising

(N.B. Notes referred to relate to the notes of the forum meeting on 28 July 2009.)      

Following the previous meeting the Chairman had written in connection with:

Shingle on Deal sea front (Note 7).   DDC’s Senior Structural Engineer had replied by email stating that as part of shore line management the shingle level on the sea front between Sandown Castle to Oldstairs Bay was monitored. Shingle on the promenade was to be cleared as early as possible.  They also inspect the beach level after severe storms for excessive erosion or any build up of shingle and any excess shingle against the wall was to be dragged away from the sea wall  to avoid it being thrown onto promenade by high tides. 

Recycling domestic batteries (Note 6).  KCC’s Recycling Officer had emailed information advising that the Southwall Road waste depot does have a battery container for use by residents only: shops must not bring any waste in of any kind.  KCC does not take waste from any business at any of the sites. The batteries directive was not something that KCC could control and KCC was not under any obligation to provide solutions for business.  They should refer to Netregs website provided by the Environment agency for guidance on their obligations regarding waste they produce.   The reference to 'take back schemes' for businesses were through a compliance scheme which is again not part of KCC but between the producers (manufacturers) and the sellers.  The Chairman expressed disappointment that more positive action was not being taken to help small shops to recycle batteries returned by the public.

20mph speed limits (Note 6).  A reply had been received from the Dover Community Liaison Manager at Kent Highway Services. Copies were available at the back of the room.

Cycle routes in Deal, Walmer and Sholden (Note 6).  No reply had been received to the Chairman’s letter.