Hawton residents believe Southern Link Road project is cause of Newark Road flooding issues

Residents in a village which has suddenly begun suffering frequent flooding claim the new link road project could be the cause.

In recent months Hawton has experienced frequent flooding on roads and fields around the village — which had even on one occasion turned it into an “island” unable to be accessed without a 4x4.

Construction on the section of the £100m Urban and Civic Southern Link Road project near Hawton, which will connect the A46 at Farndon to the A1 at Fernwood, began in the second quarter of 2023.

The Advertiser spoke with residents who believe the construction is the cause of the flooding, and fear the further impact of the 3,500 houses planned to expand the Middlebeck development alongside the road.

Newark Road resident Carol Crawford said: “With regards to Newark Road being flooded, we’re blaming the construction of the new road and where they’ve dug up all the soil.”

Husband Thomas Crawford added: “We think its going to get worse when they build 3,000 houses.”

He raised concerns that all the extra concrete foundations would mean more water pouring down the road.

As well as the flooded Newark Road, which had been closed to traffic, many fields adjacent to the construction sites were underwater.

Carol added: “The rain has been unprecedented… but I’ve only known it to flood like this once before the construction started. That was once in February a few years ago.

“Only a few weeks ago we were an island and the only road you could pass was to Farndon. I’ve only got a little car and my husband had to take me in his 4x4. If you haven’t got access to a big car it’s difficult.”

The pair have lived in Hawton for five years, but admitted they were considering moving due to the flooding issues and large estate set to be built nearby.

Another resident, Gwen Gill, who has lived in the village for 40 years, said the flooding as “terrible” and left her cut off from Newark.

As she doesn’t drive, and usually walks along Newark Road into Newark to do her shopping, the flooding has left her unable to get to the town.

She said: “I’m isolated at the moment, we’ve never had floods like this.

“I think its all the soil they’ve taken off the top for the road — underneath it all looks like clay, there’s nowhere for the water to go.

“I’m fed up, I’ve had enough.”

A full closure of Newark Road, to Hawtonville, is planned for February, which poses a further issue for Gwen — who had to rely on her son visiting with his car to get to Newark during the most recent flood.

Neighbour Derek Hooton added: “I’ve lived here 40 years and its the worst I’ve seen it flood.

“I stopped driving so I’m having to rely on my family to come and pick me up. They usually come down Newark Road but now if they can’t they have to go all the way via Farndon.”

The flooding also poses a worry for Derek as he has doctor’s appointments to attend — which he cannot get to when the village’s access roads are flooded.

“I don’t know what the impact will be when they build this 3,000 houses they are going to build,” he added.

Mike van den Berg, project director for Urban and Civic, said: “We know from working with the Hawton community over many years through the creation of Middlebeck that the area has had a history of flooding and this has been a concern for local residents during this particularly wet season.

“As part of the delivery of this significant piece of infrastructure for Newark, we have undertaken a series of assessments and flood mitigation measures in line with the regulatory requirements from the Environment Agency and approved by NCC and NSDC. We have shared and presented these plans to local communities, along with other project plans and timescales for delivery, and are committed to continuing this throughout the project.

“We are taking all necessary actions to prevent any potential additional flooding from the work we are undertaking, which will include the creation of around 50 hectares of new flood compensation areas.”

A spokesperson from Newark and Sherwood District Council, said: “We continue, with our flood risk partners and wardens, to be out and about in the community actively supporting our local residents who are experiencing flooding. Advice on what to do in the event of flooding is signposted on the Environment Agency website. In terms of the Middlebeck planning permission, this was informed by advice from the flood authorities, notably the Environment Agency and Nottinghamshire County Council. All flood risk agencies will remain involved, including any flood investigation that will be statutorily required after the current floods. ”