Dualled A46 gets flooding blame

County councillors believe the new A46 dualling between Newark and Widmerpool could be responsible for flooding villages along the route.

Both Flintham and Cropwell Butler have experienced flooding this year.

Councillor Bruce Laughton, chairman of the Nottinghamshire Flood Risk Management Board, claims the fact the A46 was given the go-ahead as part of an attempt to help the UK spend its way out of recession meant the project was rushed.

Mr Laughton wants a meeting between all county councillors whose divisions border the A46, county highways officers, the Environment Agency, Internal Drainage Board, Severn Trent Water, the Highways Agency and its contractor Balfour Beatty.

The Environment Agency and Internal Drainage Board have yet to sign off on the A46, despite it officially opening in June.

Mr Laughton said: “This is a real problem. It was a fast-tracked development and not enough consideration was given to the potential for flooding from displaced water and water coming off the A46.

“There was insufficient consultation with the Environment Agency, the Internal Drainage Board or Severn Trent Water as to whether the watercourses, drains and pipes could cope.

“Cropwell Butler bore the brunt and there are issues with Flintham, but for every community bordering the route there is a risk.”

The county councillor for Cropwell Butler, Mr Richard Butler, said: “When we had exceptional rain in June Cropwell Butler experienced severe flooding for the first time in many years.

“We have investigated to see whether it was a once in a 30-40 or 100-year event, or whether it could be something to do with the A46.

“It seems more than a coincidence, particularly as the water on Radcliffe Road was the same red colour as the water in the balancing ponds that have been created along the A46 route as part of the scheme.”

The clerk to Flintham Parish Council, Mr Mike Elliott, said there was a problem with standing water at the entrance to Flintham that had not previously existed.

A spokesman for the Highways Agency said: “It is usual for finishing works — such as the current drainage improvements — to take place after the official opening so the new two-lane road was available to motorists as soon as possible.

“We would ask that road users be patient while we complete these works, and other finishing-off works.

“The issue of the flooding in June — which saw exceptionally high rainfall that month — was investigated at the time by Nottinghamshire County Council.

“We undertook our own monitoring at the time at Cropwell Butler, with results showing the drainage measures in place were adequate.

“We provided assistance and information to the council as part of its investigation and continue to keep in contact on this matter.

“In general, the Highways Agency is satisfied with the entire design principles used on the new A46 drainage network.

“The volume of water generated by the new A46 drainage network is marginally less or similar to that occurring from the original A46 system.

“The Highways Agency has also worked in consultation throughout the scheme with the Environment Agency, including the planning stages and at the public inquiry, to seek advice and approval on drainage issues where necessary.”