The Welney Website
Wash Road flooding - special feature
this page last updated Monday, 12 March 2007
This feature is an attempt to bring together in one place as much current news and historical background information as possible for reference by anyone affected or interested in the matter. There are lots of links below, and new pages and links will be added over the next few weeks and months. If you have any information or comments that you think should be included, please contact the Webmaster.
To check the A1101 Wash Road flood status - Phone 'Flood-Line' 0n 0845 988 1188, choose option 1, then key in 'quick-dial number' 03363. You do not have to hear the full recorded announcements, as soon as the first one starts press 1, and when the second begins tap in the quick dial number. But be aware that the information is only updated daily, usually between late morning and mid-afternoon.
Flooding of the Ouse Washes is a safety feature that everyone has to accept and be grateful for. But flooding of the A1101 Wash Road across the Washes is a major disruption and expense to thousands of private motorists and transport companies, and severely affects the profitability of several businesses. Those of us affected therefore expect the organisation responsible for drainage, the Environment Agency, to restrict the flooding of the Wash Road to as short a duration as possible.
During the winter of 2006-7 that has not been the case, and the road has been flooded for the most prolonged period for some years, starting at the end of November 2006 and still flooded in March 2007, with only a few dry periods in between. Local opinion is that the Environment Agency have failed to maintain some waterways so preventing sluices from operating properly, and consequently not allowing flood water to be discharged to the sea. The Environment Agency deny the allegations.
The Welney Parish Council has often sought to resolve the problem. In 1993, for instance, they set up a working party, held open meetings in the Parish Hall attracting so many people some had to stand outside, and enlisted the help of the then local MP, Mrs Gillian Shephard. That working party maintained pressure on the EA and the Norfolk County Council for several years, in particular with regard to raising the roadway in some way. Various funding schemes were investigated, including one from the EU, but no money was available at that time.
The current Council have (it seems) only begun to take an active interest in the problem in the last six or so months, but are, at last, actively discussing the matter with various organisations. They have also met the current MP, Christopher Fraser, who has now raised the matter in the House of Commons.
2006-7 flooding
Welney Website cumulative report page 1 Press reports, effect on local businesses, action by our Parish Council, local comments, photos.
Welney Website cumulative report page 2 more reports and letters to the Press (for and against remedial action).
Welney Website cumulative report page 3 more letters and press reports, silted up sluices, the EA 'Roadshow' suggesting the possibility of abandoning us to nature, huge CUT in EA flood defence budget due to Government incompetence.
The Environment Agency view Dave Gillett, a senior manager at the EA's Ely office, admits and defends the lack of river maintenance over recent years. Apparently it's a waste of their time & money, and in any case they are worried about unspecified Heath & Safety issues if they tried to do. (Much better to spend loads of money on a "new review" rather than actually doing anything. Hah!)
The WWT Welney view Leigh Marshall, the reserve manager, describes the detrimental effects, ecologically and financially, of excessive flooding.
The RSPB view Jon Reeves, the Ouse Washes nature reserve site manager, reports the limited habitat available this year due to high water levels.
Question in House of Commons Christopher Fraser, our local MP, questioned a Minister, Ian Pearson, on 26th February 2007. Well researched question, usual glib Government rebuff, its nothing to do with them, try your luck with the EA. This full transcript is lengthy, but it really is worth reading right to the end.
some background information and associated matters.
(there is much more to come in this section)
map of the Ouse washes
schematic plan of the Ouse Washes river system
Denver sluice operation & strategic plan, by Dave Gillett of the EA. This is a PDF report and may take a while to display, but is has a useful colour plan of the sluice complex.
The Middle Level. A brief history and summary of the work of the Commissioners and the independent Internal Drainage Boards
Drainage of the fens (Greg Chapman's 'unofficial' website of the Middle Level Commissioner's, Vermuyden, and much, much, more)
The Black Fens. The formation of the fens.
The Old Bedford River - Mismanagement by the EA? The subject of this article written in 2002 was not about floods, but another aspect of the neglect of our rivers that adversely affects our social and leisure activities.
Fens, rivers and washes. A website special feature