Rugeley flood defence scheme
Updated 12 December 2017
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The Rising Brook rises in Hednesford before flowing through Cannock Chase and into Rugeley, Staffordshire. The brook is culverted in Rugeley before entering the River Trent to the east of the town centre.
Flooding from the brook occurs in Rugeley when the culvert is full and from overtopping upstream of Hagley playing fields. This causes water to back up and then flow over land through the town. In addition, surface water is unable to drain into the culvert and backs up on highways.
The solution
The Environment Agency has been working in partnership with Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Local Enterprise Partnership, Staffordshire County Council and Cannock Chase District Council to help reduce the risk of flooding from the Rising Brook
The £5.2 million Rugeley flood defence scheme reduces the risk of flooding to more than 114 residential properties and 159 commercial properties and also forms an integral part of the local council’s plans to regenerate parts of the town centre.
The scheme involved construction of a 350m long embankment, which is 4m high at its highest point, on Hagley playing fields. This embankment has created a flood storage area which will store water from the Rising Brook during times of heavy rainfall and then slowly release it back into the watercourse when levels no longer pose a flood risk. As part of the work the collapsing footbridge which forms part of Cannock Chase Heritage Trail was reinstated.
The scheme will allow for the redevelopment of sites that are identified in the Cannock Chase Local Plan.
Latest news
The Environment Agency will have largely completed construction work on the scheme by end of December 2017. There will be some minor work required in January 2018.
The Environment Agency plans to reseed the Hagley playing fields in spring 2018 and they will reopen to the public towards the end of 2018. The exact date will depend on how well the grass grows back. The preferred option is to reopen the heritage trail (the main public footpath up to Cannock Chase) earlier, however, the area is prone to vandalism which means the whole area may need to be closed to the public until the playing fields are ready. Once the grass has grown back the playing fields will be handed back to Staffordshire County Council and the 2 existing sports pitches will be reinstated.
Contacts
If you have any questions in relation to this scheme please email Enquiries_WestMids@environment-agency.gov.uk.