Rutland's Flood Reckoning: Rutland County Council Vows Resilience After Investigation Highlights 'Poor Maintenance' and Policy Gaps

Rutland's Flood Reckoning: Council Vows Resilience After Investigation Highlights 'Poor Maintenance' and Policy Gaps

Following three severe storm events—Storm Babet (October 2023), Storm Henk (January 2024), and an event in January 2025—Rutland County Council (RCC), acting as the Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA), has published a critical Section 19 Flood Investigation Report and an updated Local Flood Risk Management Strategy (LFRMS). The findings confirm that while extreme, high-intensity rainfall was the primary driver, significant local factors contributed to property flooding and widespread highway disruption across communities including Whissendine, Langham, Barleythorpe, and Oakham.

The investigation and a corresponding Flooding Evidence Panel review highlighted critical shortcomings in proactive maintenance and emergency preparedness. The principal failings identified include:

Poor Maintenance of Watercourses: In Whissendine, properties were flooded as a direct result of the Whissendine Brook overflowing, a situation attributed to the constriction and poor maintenance of the watercourse.

Inadequate Drainage Infrastructure: In Barleythorpe, flooding was caused by restrictions in the Barleythorpe Brook due to issues with the culvert and trash screen near Ostlers Drive. Highway flooding across multiple locations suggested the surface water drainage network was overwhelmed or insufficient.

Policy and Clarity Gaps: The Flooding Evidence Panel found a need for a new strategic approach to flood management. Critically, the Panel noted confusion over the ownership of drainage assets that needs to be addressed, and a lack of clarity regarding the roles and responsibilities of the various Risk Management Authorities (RMAs) for the public.

Emergency Response Issues: Concerns were raised over the need for a clear communications plan (including live updates and clarity on reporting mechanisms), the streamlining of emergency plans, and a required review of road closure procedures.

Development Scrutiny: Concerns were raised regarding the timeliness of Flood Risk Assessment reviews and the adequacy of flood risk mitigation measures during new construction projects.

The Path to Improvement: Future Plans and Strategy

The new Local Flood Risk Management Strategy (LFRMS), a framework set for the next ten years, outlines a concerted effort to enhance community resilience and address the systemic issues identified.

The Strategy is built upon three core objectives:

Collaborative Assessment: Work with partners to assess flood risk and understand priorities.

Risk Reduction: Partner to reduce flood risk to properties and infrastructure.

Community Resilience: Improve community understanding of flood risk and support local resilience.

To deliver these objectives, RCC has committed to a series of specific, risk-based actions:

Whissendine Constriction and poor maintenance of Brook

Explore improvements to the watercourse to enhance conveyance and reduce overtopping.

Barleythorpe Restricted culvert/trash screen Investigate the capacity of the attenuation pond and review the effectiveness of the trash screen and culvert capacities.

Langham Out-of-bank flooding at bridge Investigate options to reduce out-of-bank flooding at Melton Road bridge.

County-wide Maintenance, Planning & Policy

Implement an enhanced inspection regime for high-risk drainage areas. Promote the use of nature-based solutions (NBS) and natural processes in flood mitigation. Clarify the ownership of drainage assets.

The Council also acknowledges that flood risk management requires shared responsibility, stressing the vital role of residents and landowners in maintaining private drains and watercourses. The LFRMS is set for a full review in 2035.

The report and plans will be presented to Cabinet - Tuesday, 14th October, 2025 10.00 am

https://rutlandcounty.moderngov.co.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=133&MId=3073