Agenda item

Report from the Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environment.

Recommendations:

That Cabinet:

1. Note the progress to date and the next steps in the Catcliffe and Treeton Flood Alleviation Scheme.

2. Delegate authority to the Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environment to enter into contract with a design and build partner, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Street Scene and Green Spaces and the Section 151 Officer.

Consideration was given to the report which detailed the preferred proposal for the Catcliffe and Treeton Flood Alleviation Scheme. As a result of the heavy rainfall in October 2023 (Storm Babet), Catcliffe and Treeton Villages suffered severe flooding from the River Rother. As part of the Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA) duties, a Section 19 flood investigation was carried out by the Council. Contained in the Section 19 report were “Catcliffe and Treeton next steps” which identified three options the Council could investigate to help reduce the risk of future flooding in this area.

Whilst flood risk management of main rivers was the responsibility of the Environment Agency (EA), the Council recognised the devastation and hardship experienced by residents affected by flooding and had engaged its staff in evaluating these three options. Following the initial evaluation, there was a key area of focus emerging for the Council in relation to seeking to alter the existing bridge on Treeton Lane to improve the flow path of the River Rother, which had been supported by a Capital investment commitment by the Council of £6m. In parallel to progressing further work on this option, the Council would continue to explore the development of upstream storage of storm water through working with the Environment Agency and neighbouring local authorities.

Initial hydraulic modelling of the Bridge alteration showed that a reduction in the thickness of the existing bridge deck at Treeton Lane could improve conveyance in the River Rother. This proposal would see the existing bridge removed and replaced with a new one built to modern design standards, allowing a greater distance between the bridge deck and the river.

To mitigate this risk and maintain momentum within the programme, the Council was prioritising early contractor engagement. Securing a design and build contractor at the earliest opportunity would be critical to ensuring continuity between the design and construction phases, enabling more efficient planning, risk management, and coordination with regulatory bodies such as the Environment Agency.

Early engagement would also allow the contractor to contribute valuable insights during the design development stage, helping to refine construction methodologies, identify potential constraints, and optimise the programme for delivery. Subject to approvals, the procurement process was expected to conclude with contract award in Quarter 3 of the 2025/26 financial year, positioning the project for a timely transition into detailed design and mobilisation. In order to continue to progress at pace, the report sought a delegation to the Strategic Director for Regeneration and Environment to award the contract, following a procurement process, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Street Scene and Green Spaces and the Section 151 Officer.

Further technical detail on the proposal was set out in Section 3 of the report. Paragraph 3.12 noted that the Council was ambitious in aiming to deliver the Scheme within three years to seek to protect residents and properties as quickly as possible, but experience suggested that a five-year timeline may be more realistic.

Section 4 of the report set out the consultation that had been undertaken. The Council held two public meetings that were chaired by the local Member of Parliament; both were very well attended. The bridge scheme was discussed at the meeting and received widespread support from the local community. Further to these events, two community drop in sessions had been held with the Council in attendance to allow residents the opportunity to discuss the Scheme or any concerns in a one-to-one environment. Consultation with the Environment Agency was ongoing and early engagement had laid a strong foundation for ongoing collaboration.

Resolved:

That Cabinet:

1.    Note the progress to date and the next steps in the Catcliffe and Treeton Flood Alleviation Scheme.

2.    Delegate authority to the Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environment to enter into contract with a design and build partner, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Street Scene and Green Spaces and the Section 151 Officer.