Hi All,

               In my last mail I mentioned Andrew Morsley, a hydrologist working for the River Thame Conservation Trust (RTCT). He is known to a number of you because he stopped off and spoke with a number of residents in the Warrendene area on the day of the flooding there (23^rd September).

RTCT is engaged to work on Natural Flood management in connection with the flooding experienced in the upper reaches of the Hughenden Stream. His client ultimately is Bucks Council.

Sarah Mustapha and I met with Andrew and Chels Hotham (Andrew’s colleague and engagement officer) last week. This was essentially for us to provide an introduction to the DIG and for us to inform them as much as possible about our experience with all aspects of flooding (sewage, stream, groundwater, surface water) affecting our area. He wanted to understand our knowledge of risk points, experience with dealing with the Council and so on.

After the meeting we did a brief walk round the lower part of the Valley – the area most affected by sewage flooding in recent years. Then we moved on to the Warrendene area which Andrew has already visited, and we picked up David Anderson for a drive up towards Hampden Crossroads. David is a long-term Hughenden resident, with excellent knowledge of the surrounding countryside and was flooded recently (in addition to several times in the past).

A significant part of Andrew’s role is to liaise with local farmers to understand flow mechanisms, come up with options for flood retention measures. Andrew will then be modelling the impact of proposed measures and when justified and agreed to by landowners, ultimately build water retention measures on the farms.  So one of the first things we did was to call at Upper Warren Farm and spoke with Sally and Simon Lloyd. This provided Andrew with significant pointers on field and farm ownerships in the area. From there we went further up Hampden Road with Andrew noting risks/opportunities along the way.

We stopped at East Lane further up. This is a steep little used lane to the left; it is primarily from the steeply sloping field on the corner that Dave had experienced a number of times large amounts of runoff from the clay capped fields down onto the road, which would then run right down into Warrendene. We finished our tour with a stop at the Hampden Arms, where Andrew was able to pick up contact information for the Hampden Estate as well as more local knowledge on our issues.

Andrew will be engaged with this work in the coming weeks, which will involve liaising with Farms on flood management measures. The ultimate aim above Hughenden Valley will be to deal & reduce water sweeping down into our village through a variety of actions including:

• Creation of water runoff channels
• Swales
• Pools
• Ditches 

In the shorter term, it is hoped that the Council can be persuaded to implement immediate changes to the Warrendene area to reduce the flooding. These could include:

• Alterations to the Warrendene ditch
• Creation of pooling area
• Addition of extra resources to divert surface water from road into ditch
• Provision of assistance to householders to prevent flood water entering properties from road

Rgds

Paul

• Harrow Area Flooding

Following our follow up letter to Bucks Council on the February flooding, we received a response from the Council dated 5^th September from a Community Liaison Officer assuring us that they are confident that the drainage system in place is adequate and with proper maintenance the flooding will not happen again. Our request for a meeting has been ignored.

Since then, of course, the Harrow and multiple gardens were flooded on 23 September. It’s terrible that another flooding has occurred in the Harrow area following a very heavy period of rain over the weekend. From what understand the response from the Council and Fire Services has not been great

• Presentation to Flooding Response Select Committee

We provided a paper to the Select Committee for their meeting on Monday 23^rd September. The meeting was changed from the Aylesbury office to an online meeting because of flooding in the area.

• Chiltern Society & the Hughenden Stream

Paulw and Sarah Mustapha attended the 2nd Chalk Stream Project workshop on 15^th July about the Hughenden Stream Restoration Plan. This second meeting was to prioritise the works so that decisions can be made on what can or cannot be done, allowing for budget etc.

By December it is hoped that a document will be produced for public dissemination.

We were introduced to Robert Morsley, a consultant hydrologist from the River Thames Conservancy Trust. Robert has been assigned to the stream restoration project to investigate Natural Flood Management possibilities for the upper reaches of the stream, namely from the pumping station up to the top of Warrendene and beyond.

Paul Woodford

HVRA DIG

30^th Sept 2024

Hi All,

               It’s terrible that another flooding has occurred in the Harrow area following a very heavy period of rain over the weekend. From what we hear at this end of the Valley, the response from the Council and Fire Services has not been great.

On this subject I am enclosing a couple of letters in connection with our pursuing Bucks Council to take action regarding the repeated flooding. The first is our letter to the council of 5^th August which was following up again on the February flooding. The second letter is response from the Council dated 5^th September from yet another Community Liaison Officer assuring us that they are confident that the drainage system in place is adequate and with proper maintenance the flooding will not happen again. I will leave you to draw your own conclusions on that.

Yesterday Bucks Council held a Select Committee meeting on the response to flooding in Bucks. The DIG, along with other groups were invited to attend. In the event, I put in a paper expressing our views on the difficulties we have experienced over the years with flooding. I have attached this also.

On a slightly brighter note, yesterday there was a follow-up meeting at the Manor on the Restoration of the Hughenden Stream and Sarah Mustapha and I attended this. This workshop looked at prioritising the areas of work on the stream from a feasibility and benefit point of view. From this work it is expected that a draft plan will be produced and made available for public dissemination.

At the same time we were presented to by Andrew Morsley from the Thame Conservation Trust. The TCT has been appointed to survey and recommend Natural Flood Management measures affecting the Valley. This forms the next part of the Chalk Stream Project and looks at the upper reaches of the Hughenden stream and valley, roughly from the pumping station up to the top of Warrendene and then also flooding from beyond that point. It is hoped that in the fullness of time measures will be introduced to better manage surface water finding its way down into the valley.

Some of you affected by the flooding will have already met Andrew, as he stopped in the Harrow area yesterday before the Chalk Stream meeting to see for himself our issues over the flooding and spoke with a few of you. He may well be a familiar figure around Warrendene in the coming months.

Regards

Paulw

• Harrow Area Flooding

We have written to Rosie Tunnard in early August. This letter refuted the Council’s response that the Harrow/Warrendene area is properly maintained but was simply overwhelmed by exceptional rain that day in February.

We have requested a meeting to discuss works we consider necessary to improve the area’s drainage.

• Presentation to Flooding Response Select Committee

The DIG has been invited to present to the Bucks Council Select Committee on Flooding Response. Paulw will present on 23^rd September the result of our experiences with local flooding events and the council’s response to it.

• Thames Water

Overpumping at the Surgery now is largely forgotten; all  equipment is removed and a cleanup has been done. The field below the pumping station still looks a mess.

We are still pushing Thames Water for a solution to the Valley’s sewage network issues. Some hope that!

• Chiltern Society & the Hughenden Stream

Paulw and Sarah Mustapha attended the Chalk Stream Project workshop on 15^th July on the subject of the Hughenden Stream Restoration Plan. This was held at Hughenden Manor. It involves re-working the Hughenden Stream from down in High Wycombe up as far as the pumping station. It is being driven by the Chiltern Society and Environment Agency and is fully funded, so will be a significant project.

On 23^rd September there is a follow up workshop when a proposed list of alterations along the stream length will be agreed. At a future point a document containing proposed restoration options will be produced for public dissemination.

At some point the upper reaches of our stream (Pumping station to Warrendene Crossroads) will be surveyed also.

It is also understood that the Chalk Stream Project has been invited to work with Bucks Council on Natural Flood Management in Hughenden Valley.

Paul Woodford

HVRA DIG

1^st September

Hi All,

               Please find enclosed a short update on DIG activities.

• Harrow Area Flooding

We have not yet followed up with our reply to Bucks Council regarding the Harrow area floods. We need to do some more checks before writing to the Council and suggesting a plan for drainage improvement in the whole Warrendene and Harrow area.

• Thames Water

Pumping out at the Surgery has continued through June, although TW have reduced the revs on the overpumping equipment because of lowered sewer levels. A casual inspection at the month end suggests that the sewer levels are now very low and we expect the overpumping operation will likely stop soon.

The tankering from Boss Lane has now stopped and TW are looking to repair verges etc.

• Chiltern Society & the Hughenden Stream

Paul met with James Donald of Revive the Wye group 17^th June for Paul to be able to provide an introduction to the DIG and the upper reaches of the Hughenden Stream (from the park up to the top of Warrendene Rd). Paul will organise a meet up with James Donald late July to provide a walk of the upper reaches.

Since the meeting with James Donald, the DIG has received an invitation to attend a Chalkstream Project workshop on 15^th July on the subject of the Hughenden Stream Restoration Plan.

I attended a meeting with the Climate Group who have shown interest in this workshop and up to 4 of us will attend the workshop.

Rgds

Paul Woodford

HVRA DIG

Hi All,

               Just sharing a response from Maisie Banks regarding the overpumping units. We had felt that the pumps should be retained for a while longer because of the recent heavy rain, but obviously TW don’t think it necessary.

Rgds

Paul

From: Maisie Banks <Maisie.Banks@thameswater.co.uk>
Sent: Monday, July 8, 2024 2:36 PM
To: pbwoodford@icloud.com
Subject: RE: Hughenden Valley Status

Hi Paul,

Hope you are okay,

I have spoken to Lynda who has been monitoring the levels in within our sewer network, as the levels have dropped we turned the over pump off on Thursday 4^th July and since then we can see that the network has been coping with the flows.

Since the over pump has been off we’ve experienced rain fall within the area and have noticed that the ground water levels have also dropped. As we are happy that the network is coping and the additional flows that were getting in have reduced we will be arranging for the over pump to be removed as it’s no longer needed.

Please advise the residents that if they have any issue to call our contact centre on 0800 316 9800 or report an issue online so we can send out an engineer in a timely manner to investigate.

Kind Regards

Hi All,

               Please find enclosed a short update on DIG activities.

• Harrow Area Flooding

We have not yet followed up with our reply to Bucks Council regarding the Harrow area floods. We need to do some more checks before writing to the Council and suggesting a plan for drainage improvement in the whole Warrendene and Harrow area.

• Thames Water

Pumping out at the Surgery has continued through June, although TW have reduced the revs on the overpumping equipment because of lowered sewer levels. A casual inspection at the month end suggests that the sewer levels are now very low and we expect the overpumping operation will likely stop soon.

The tankering from Boss Lane has now stopped and TW are looking to repair verges etc.

• Chiltern Society & the Hughenden Stream

Paul met with James Donald of Revive the Wye group 17^th June for Paul to be able to provide an introduction to the DIG and the upper reaches of the Hughenden Stream (from the park up to the top of Warrendene Rd). Paul will organise a meet up with James Donald late July to provide a walk of the upper reaches.

Since the meeting with James Donald, the DIG has received an invitation to attend a Chalkstream Project workshop on 15^th July on the subject of the Hughenden Stream Restoration Plan.

I attended a meeting with the Climate Group who have shown interest in this workshop and up to 4 of us will attend the workshop.

Rgds

Paul Woodford

HVRA DIG

• Harrow Area Flooding

We have not yet followed up with our reply to Bucks Council regarding the Harrow area floods. We need to do some more checks before writing to the Council and suggesting a plan for drainage improvement in the whole Warrendene and Harrow area.

• Thames Water

Pumping out at the Surgery has continued through June, although TW have reduced the revs on the overpumping equipment because of lowered sewer levels. A casual inspection at the month end suggests that the sewer levels are now very low and we expect the overpumping operation will likely stop soon.

 The tankering from Boss Lane has  now stopped and TW are looking to repair verges etc.

• Chiltern Society & the Hughenden Stream

Paul met with James Donald of Revive the Wye group 17^th June for Paul to be able to provide an introduction to the DIG and the upper reaches of the Hughenden Stream (from the park up to the top of Warrendene Rd). Paul will organise a meet up with James Donald late July to provide a walk of the upper reaches.

Since the meeting with James Donald, the DIG has received an invitation to attend a Chalkstream Project workshop on 15^th July on the subject of the Hughenden Stream Restoration Plan.

I attended a meeting with the Climate Group who have shown interest in this workshop and up to 4 of us will attend the workshop.

Paul Woodford

HVRA DIG

• Harrow Area Flooding

We are slowly progressing towards assembling a response to Bucks Council regarding the Harrow area flooding. Paulw has conducted a visual check on the area up to the top of Warrendene Rd and Matt Hopkins is part way through checking drainage at Hatches, Bryants Bottom Rd and Hampden Rd.

We hope to be able to write to Bucks Council by the end of June.

• Thames Water

Pumping out at the Surgery has continued through this month and tankering from Boss Ln. The latter is becoming increasingly unpopular with the residents of Boss Ln because of noise and access problems.

The DIG met with a small team from TW this month. Results from meeting:

• We now have a permanent contact for the DIG in Maisie Banks, Custoner Liaison engineer.
• Mark Dolby (Snr engineer) is in the process of putting forward suggestions for hydro-braking for Hughenden Valley. This has to be data modelled for the whole valley and will include the Naphill & HV sewer junction problem. No timescale available on this.
• TW looking at reducing the frequency of overtankering with the weather improvements
• There will be a cleanup done in Boss Ln and the field below the pumping station when tankering /field leakages finished.

• Chiltern Society

Paul meeting with James Donald of Revive the Wye group 17^th June.

Paul Woodford

HVRA DIG

• Harrow Area Flooding

We wrote to Rachael Shimmin the Bucks Council CEO requesting an investigation into the causes of the flooding, and have received two replies from Rosie Tunnard. The first essentially describes the flooding as a well maintained drainage system simply being overwhelmed by sheer volume of rain and detritus swept along the road.

The second carries some notes from the Flood Management Team, who are putting some work into analysing how the problems occurred.

We are currently looking into the contents of these letters and intend to reply soon. However, there are some possible good points in the letters:

• Clearance of gully systems have been ordered
• Looking into possible solutions to better direct road water into the Warrendene ditch
• Hampden Rd ditch is to be cleared (looking very overgrown)

• Thames Water

Despite expectations to the contrary, TW started overpumping by the Surgery this month. This has provided much relief to those neighbours who were experiencing sewage spillages in their gardens.

We are currently organising a daytime meeting with Mark Dolby, a Snr TW engineer to visit and update us on current activities.

The sewer remains full and becomes threatening when we have heavy rain or when the  overpumping unit stops running for any reason.

A look at the Hughenden Borehole graph shows that the groundwater levels are slowly going down, but have a long way to go before the stream stops running.

• Chiltern Society

Paul was invited to a Chiltern Society Friends event, where representatives of the groups that look after the Chiltern chalkstreams gathered. This was a new event to try and bring each of the groups closer and encourage joint production of plans etc.

Paul will pick up with the Revive the Wye group who look after the Wye but also have the Hughenden Stream as part of their remit.

Paul also to identify any persons or group in our valley wanting to take on a role in this.

Paul Woodford

HVRA DIG