Questions about the scheme..

Why is a flood alleviation scheme needed?

In 1979 there were two significant floods, the first in May flooded around 30 properties, while the second in December flooded 110 properties. Under particularly severe conditions some 180 properties in Blandford are at risk. After the 1979 floods there were requests to provide a flood alleviation scheme.
Since 1979 we have been collecting hydrological and hydraulic data, carrying out computer modelling and design, and environmental and landscape surveys. In 1986 both the Blandford St Mary Flood Alleviation Scheme and the Stage 1 works across Crown Meadows were completed; the overall protection to the town depends on completing the scheme as currently proposed

But it won't flood again .....!

It will. Again and again. Recent floods occurred in 1966, 1974, twice in 1979, and to a lesser extent in 1990. Rivers like the Stour have always flooded, and always will. This is not only common sense but undisputedly proven by our hydrological and hydraulic computations.

Aren't floods in Blandford caused by high tide?

No! Blandford is 100 feet above sea level.

Why isn't the river dredged or cleared out? Won't that solve the problem?

If this was the solution then obviously we would do it. But dredging or clearing out would only provide limited temporary relief, giving nowhere near the flood capacity we need to protect Blandford. To put this into focus we would need to double the size of the river to achieve the desired flood capacity. Apart from the cost of this and rebuilding the Stour bridges to double their flood capacity, think of the environmental effects…the Stour would never be the same again.

So what will the flood wall look like

It will be a brick wall with a reinforced concrete core and deep concrete foundations. The bricks have been chosen after consultations with our landscape architect and the Council's conservation officer (and we are sure you will approve).
We are also paying close attention to the coping and bonding of the wall, as well as putting in flint panels, to make it compatible with the local architecture. We are confident it will blend in very well.

But won't the flood water come up the drains?

Quite right, it would. So to stop this we are putting flap valves on all the drain outfalls.

But won't the water come up through the ground?

Quite right again. (Although it would come up quite slowly). So we've designed the wall to limit this, and then designed a land drainage system at the back of the wall to collect and control groundwater.
The drainage system leads down to a pumping station at Langton Meadows, and the water is pumped away from there. Incidentally, this drainage system also collects all the town drainage which can't get away when the river is high
Has the National Rivers Authority taken proper advice on all of this?
Yes, apart from its own design engineers in the Bridgwater Headquarters, the NRA have appointed expert consultants for the computer modelling (Hydraulics Research Ltd), the feasibility studies (Mouchel & Partners), and the detailed design (Peter Brett Associates). In addition environmental and landscaping consultants have been deeply involved.
And as a final check, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, who give a grant to the scheme, also undertake their own independent technical audit.

But it all seems very expensive…

Yes, unfortunately protection doesn't come cheap. We estimate that the cost of the construction works alone will be about £.1 million. Now if we have a 1979 ? type flood today, the damage caused would be approaching £900,000. So the scheme almost pays for itself with just one major flood. But we also appointed the Flood Hazard Research Unit at Middlesex Polytechnic to undertake a detailed analysis and this highlights the potential damage to Blandford that would accrue over the years.