Joint agency update – flooding in Northamptonshire
Significant flooding hits Northamptonshire
Significant flooding has hit Northamptonshire overnight and a multi-agency response is now underway and working to support people affected by Storm Bert.
Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service and Northamptonshire Police have received a very high number of calls overnight from people requesting help due to flooding, both in properties and on roads. These issues are quite widespread across the county, including particularly in Towcester, Weedon, Lower Harlestone and the St Andrews Road area of Northampton.
Billing Aquadrome flood sirens have sounded and the holiday park is being evacuated by the management with assistance from Northamptonshire Search and Rescue and Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service.
West Northamptonshire Council is supporting Billing’s evacuation plans by providing a rest centre at Lings Forum Leisure Centre for those displaced by the flooding. Their immediate welfare and accommodation needs will be assessed today by council teams who are also making welfare checks on vulnerable people across West Northants.
All the agencies including Northamptonshire Police, Northamptonshire fire and rescue service, West Northamptonshire Council, the Environment Agency are working together to coordinate their response.
The councils’ highways teams are supporting emergency services with flooding incidents countywide, having so far received over 160 calls, predominantly relating to reports of flooding and fallen trees.
Road closures are in place across the county with some disruption to public transport including trains at Northampton. All the agencies including Northamptonshire Police, Northamptonshire fire and rescue service, West Northamptonshire Council, the Environment Agency are working together to coordinate their response.
The message from the agencies is to check the travel information before setting off, drive appropriately to the road conditions and be prepared to meet standing water on the roads – and if there is standing water, do not enter it or attempt to drive through it.
People across the county are asked to continue to follow the safety advice on our social media feeds, following the Environment Agency for flood alerts.
Flood reports can be submitted at:
West Northants: https://www.westnorthants.gov.uk/its-emergency/report-flood
North Northants: https://www.northnorthants.gov.uk/flooding
You can report other highways issues to Street Doctor services:
- West Northants area: https://www.westnorthants.gov.uk/roads-and-paths-maintenance/report-potholes-or-highway-problem
- North Northants area: https://www.northnorthants.gov.uk/parking-roads-and-transport/report-potholes-or-highway-problem
Follow the Met Office for up-to-date weather reports and warnings where you live: https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/forecast/gcr35qpbd#?date=2024-11-24
By only dialling 999 in an emergency where life is at risk, you’re helping us prioritise helping those most in need.
ANPR Cameras – Boughton
Following the receipt of 3 x quotations it was recommended and agreed at the Full Council Meeting on the 18th November 2024 that 3 x ANPR Cameras would be purchased and provided to Northants Police to be located in Boughton. To enable detailed consideration of the decision to purchase the ANPR cameras a report was prepared by Cllr A Gibson and can be found below:ANPR Proposal
Upcoming Road Closures – Boughton Road, Boughton and Moulton
Kier are intending on carrying out urgent carriageway repairs on the above road. To undertake this work safely will require that the road will be closed for up to two days at off peak times, and it is expected that the works will commence on the 14th November 2024.
The closure and diversion can be viewed here https://one.network/?tm=141031498
CIL Consultation now open
Consultation on the Parish Council’s proposal to allocate £300,000 from CIL receipts to parish projects.
The Parish Council proposes to allocate £300,000 to three projects within the parish. Because of the importance of this decision, it seeks the views of parishioners. Please see the CIL page for more information.https://boughtonparishcouncil.co.uk/cil-2
Upcoming Roadworks – Boughton Green, Boughton
Kier are intending on carrying out carriageway works on the above road. To undertake this work safely will require that the road will be closed and it is expected that the works will commence on the 21st October 2024 for one day at off peak times.
The closure and diversion can be viewed here https://one.network/?tm=140659673
How to report flooding and/or a blocked drain
See the Parish Council’s previous post on flooding – https://boughtonparishcouncil.co.uk/?p=6706&preview=true
If a drain is blocked, parishioners should log the issue via WNC’s online portal “Fix My Street”.
https://www.fixmystreet.com/around?lon=-0.896568&lat=52.283118&js=1
The Clerk has received reports that Howard Lane was flooded due to a blocked drain. However, the Clerk cannot see a current, or previous post, reporting the blocked drain on the portal. The portal will ask you to specifically identify the drain in question.
Where a blocked drain floods a private property or the road/path, WNC’s portal states they consider this a potential emergency and request you contact them by telephone.
Please ring 0300 126 7000 between 9.00am and 5.00pm Monday to Friday or 01604 651074 outside of these hours.
Large hole in the pavement – corner of Vyse Road / Church Street
A parishioner has made the Clerk aware that a large hole has appeared in the pavement on the corner of Vyse Road / Church Street. The hole appears to have also made the curb subside and the tarmac on the road crack.
Such issues are typically raised on the online portal “Fix My Street” also known as “Street Doctor” – https://fix.westnorthants.gov.uk/around?lat=52.285129&lon=-0.898923&js=1
However, as a parishioner nearly fell into the hole, the Clerk has telephoned Highways directly to report the issue and escalate the matter.
WNC Highways will post any updates on the report here: https://fix.westnorthants.gov.uk/report/6509694 , until then the Clerk has asked Parish Councillors to keep her informed on the issue.
Flooding in Boughton
A Parish Councillor has notified the Parish Clerk that Boughton village has unfortunately experienced flooding.
WNC’s update below provides practical guidance and links to report any flooding issues.
Since February 2024, the Parish Council have been in discussion with parishioners and an adjacent land owner regarding flooding to gardens on Vyse Road. It is hoped a resolution will be achieved as soon as possible.
If parishioners have further concerns about flooding, please raise them with the Parish Council. A Working Group of parishioners and the Parish Council could be set up to create a Community Flood Plan.
23 Sep 2024
People urged to take extra care as weather warnings remain in place across West Northants
Residents across West Northamptonshire are urged to continue to take extra care as additional heavy rainfall is expected across the area for the remainder of today.
Over the weekend the area saw extreme rainfall causing surface flooding across the area, with yellow weather warnings for heavy rain in place until later tonight. Residents can keep updated via the Met Office.
Cllr Adam Brown, Leader of West Northamptonshire Council said: “We are currently working with our partners including police and fire to respond to the ongoing weather situation and supporting with incidents of localised flooding. With heavy rainfall expected to continue throughout today we are closely monitoring the situation to ensure we can support residents through this changing situation.
“We would urge everyone to take extra care and keep an eye on the police, fire service and our social media feeds for updates and visit our flooding advice pages for further information and support.”
Residents can report flooding via our website, and in the event of an emergency where someone is in danger, people should dial 999 or 112.
People can stay informed about the latest flood alerts and warnings on the Government website and are advised to be cautious, especially if out and about on the roads. To help keep everyone safe, here are some safety tips from Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service:
- Keep an eye on weather reports for flooding in your area. Do not travel in heavy rain unless absolutely necessary
- Do not ignore road closed signs
- Never attempt to cross or drive through floodwater if you don’t know how deep the water is – just two feet of water will float a car
- Never try to swim through fast flowing water or floodwater – you may get swept away or be injured by an object in the water
- Don’t assume fords are safe to cross just because the road is not closed – always look at the river level gauge and use your common sense
- Floodwater may be contaminated, never allow children or pets to go near or play in floodwater
- Prepare a flood kit in case your home floods or you are trapped in a vehicle for any period. This should contain a change of clothing, wellies, waterproofs and blankets as well as a torch, charged mobile, medication and a first aid kit and a list of useful numbers, including flood alert lines.
Boughton Rise – possible move to Kingsthorpe Parish Council
It has come to the attention of the Parish Clerk that there is confusion regarding Boughton Rise moving Parish.
West Northamptonshire Council propose that Boughton Rise will move to Kingsthorpe Parish Council. Further details, including a timetable, can be found here: https://westnorthants.citizenspace.com/cet/community-governance-review-phase2/#:~:text=A%20Community%20Governance%20Review%20allows,to%20meet%20new%20challenges%3B%20and
Should the proposal take effect, Kingsthorpe Parish Council will be responsible for maintaining the open space outlined in yellow. Connolly Homes will continue to maintain the open space outlined in red.
