Flood Operation Plan Full Report
Renfrewshire Council · 6 November 2024
Back to Infrastructure, Land and Environment Policy Board — 6 November 2024 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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1 ___________________________________________________________________ To: The Infrastructure, Land and Environment Policy Board On: 6 November 2024 ___________________________________________________________________ Report by: Director of Environment, Housing & Infrastructure _____________________________________________________________________ Heading: Flood Operational Plan _____________________________________________________________________ 1. Summary 1.1 As a result of climate change, both the chance and consequence of flooding are increasing. As sea levels rise there will be more frequent and higher storm surges, increased winter rainfall and more intense summer rainfalls are predicted, adding to the existing risk. 1.2 Renfrewshire has experienced major flooding events throughout the years. In Renfrewshire flood events are typically caused by: • Intense rainfall events • Water courses exceeding peak flow capacities • Surface water run-off from developed areas • Lack of capacity in the sewerage system • Tidal influence of the River Clyde 1.3 The aim of this Plan is to ensure an informed and co-ordinated response by Renfrewshire Council to a flooding incident, focussing on the welfare of those effected, mitigation of property and environmental damage. 1.4 The Code of Practice for Well Maintained Highways recommends that local authorities should ensure drainage assets are maintained in good working order to reduce the threat and scale of flooding.
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Roads Adoption Policy 2 _____________________________________________________________________ 2. Recommendations It is recommended that the Infrastructure, Land and Environment Policy Board; 2.1 Approves the Flood Operational Plan and notes that updates on the plan will be provided to the Board through future Service Update reports. ___________________________________________________________ 3. Background 3.1 As a Roads Authority under the Roads (Scotland) Act, Renfrewshire Council has the overall responsibility to provide an effective Flood Management Service in accordance with its duties. The responsibility for the efficient and effective delivery of flood management sits within Environment, Housing & Infrastructure. 3.2 Under Section 18 and 59 of the Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Act 2009 the Council has a duty to assess bodies of water for the purpose of ascertaining whether any such body gives rise to a risk of flooding, and to carry out a schedule of clearance and repair works to substantially reduce any such risk. 3.3 The Council uses a variety of measures to ensure it fulfils its statutory duties including: • Flood prevention schemes, • Regular grid cleaning, • Cyclical maintenance of gullies, • Gully inspections, • Capital drainage improvements. 3.4 During both the summer and winter seasons, the Met Office monitors weather forecasts to help Public Sector organisations and the public prepare for adverse weather. Where episodes of particularly hot or cold weather are identified, they carry out a joint dynamic risk assessment and issue alerts if necessary. 3.5 Weather Alerts usually cover a large area where severe weather conditions could develop. A Weather Warning happens when conditions are already occurring or will be soon. It’s intended goal is to provide enough time for organisations and members of the public to prepare and activate emergency plans.
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Roads Adoption Policy 3 3.6 The Met Office issue weather warnings to make people aware that there is a high chance of dangerous weather. This can be for rain, thunderstorms, wind, snow, lightning, ice, extreme heat and fog. 3.7 The Road Operations Team along with Neighbourhood Services and the Roadwork Coordinators play a key role in any emergency response to any flooding alert in terms of preparing, responding, and recovering from a flooding incident. 3.8 When a flood alert is received the following duties are carried out: • Inspect and maintain flood prevention schemes and pumping station; • Priority grids cleaned; • Gully hot spots cleaned; • Priority sweeping routes cleaned; • Issue communications to Elected Members and members of the public; and • River levels monitored where appropriate. If a flooding incident occurs out of hours, Roads Standby Supervisor will be responsible for co-ordinating resources. Resources will initially be directed to locations which historically causes flooding and where there is a risk of road closures and damage to properties. 3.9 Officers from Environment, Housing and Infrastructure have delivered consultation events to members of Local Area Partnerships and Community Councils to enhance our knowledge of hot-spot flooding areas to add to our priority list. This will be an ongoing process throughout the life of the Policy. 4.0 Review It is recognised that the environment we operate in is constantly evolving and as a result we must continue to evolve as well. We will review these policies on an ongoing basis to ensure they will continue to deliver the identified improvements for our communities. _____________________________________________________________ Implications of the Report 1. Financial - the nominal capital and revenue costs of implementing the policy can be accommodated within existing budgets.
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Roads Adoption Policy 4 2. HR & Organisational Development - Delivering requirements of the Flood Prevention Policy will be accommodated within current Road Operations staffing levels. 3. Community/Council Planning – Our Renfrewshire is Well – the development of operational planning for flooding incidents will ensure our communities are provided with information on how to keep them and their properties safe during these incidents 4. Legal – N/A 5. Property/Assets – N/A 6. Information Technology – N/A 7. Equality & Human Rights (a) The Recommendations contained within this report have been assessed in relation to their impact on equalities and human rights. Some negative impacts on equality groups or potential for infringement of individuals’ human rights have been identified and not all can be fully mitigated. Despite the potential for adverse impact it is believed that it is reasonable and proportionate to take the action recommended in the report A full copy of the Equality Impact Assessment undertaken is attached. 8. Health & Safety - The primary reason for the Flood Prevention Policy is to provide a safe and usable road network for all road users, including emergency and refuse collection vehicles. 9. Procurement –N/A. 10. Risk - no risks have been identified in relation to the proposal. 11. Privacy Impact – N/A 12. Climate Risk –N/A. 13. Children’s Rights – This report demonstrates compliance with Article 6 (life, survival and development) and Article 24 (health, water, food, environment) of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child enter details or not applicable. 14. Cosla Policy Position – N/A. _______________________________________________________
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Roads Adoption Policy 5 List of Background Papers (a) None ___________________________________________________________________ Author: John Wallace Senior Manager, Infrastructure and Transportation e-mail john.p.wallace@renfrewshire.gov.uk
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Roads Adoption Policy 6 . Flood Operational Plan Environment, Housing & Infrastructure October 2024
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Roads Adoption Policy 7 Contents 1. Introduction ....................................................................................... 8 1.1. Legal & Policy Background .................................................................... 8 2. Aim of this Plan .................................................................................. 9 3. Background ...................................................................................... 10 3.1. Role of Local Authority? ....................................................................... 10 3.2. Role of other agencies ......................................................................... 10 3.3. Weather Alerts and Weather Warnings Error! Bookmark not defined. 4. What the Council will do .................................................................. 12 5. Flood Prevention Schemes and Reservoirs ..................................... 12 6. Pumping Stations, Priority Grids and Locations .... Error! Bookmark not defined. 7. Plan Review ...................................................................................... 14
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Roads Adoption Policy 8 1. Introduction 1.1. Legal & Policy Background As a result of climate change, both the chance and consequence of flooding are increasing. As sea levels rise there will be more frequent and higher storm surges, increased winter rainfall and more intense summer rainfalls are predicted, adding to the existing risk. Renfrewshire has experienced major flooding events throughout the years. In Renfrewshire flood events are typically caused by: • Intense rainfall events • Water courses exceeding peak flow capacities • Surface water run off from developed areas • Lack of capacity in the sewerage system • Tidal influence of the River Clyde The aim of this Plan is to ensure an informed and co-ordinated response by Renfrewshire Council to a flooding incident, focussing on the welfare of those effected, mitigation of property and environmental damage. Under Section 18 and 59 of the Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Act 2009 the Council has a duty to assess bodies of water for the purpose of ascertaining whether any such body gives rise to a risk of flooding, and to carry out a schedule of clearance and repair works to substantially reduce any such risk. Local authorities have a duty under the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 to maintain road drainage systems and to clear roads of flooding. The Code of Practice for Well Maintained Highways recommends that local authorities should ensure drainage assets are maintained in good working order to reduce the threat and scale of flooding.
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Roads Adoption Policy 9 2. Aim of this Plan Renfrewshire Council shall use this plan to achieve the following outcomes: • To ensure that the Council’s plan is clear to both members and the public and is communicated effectively; • To ensure that the Council’s plan is applied consistently, in accordance with legislation and for the greater benefit of the Renfrewshire public; • To ensure public safety; • To provide guidance for residents on a matter that they may not even be aware of; • To manage expectations.
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Roads Adoption Policy 10 3. Background 3.1. Role of Local Authority Renfrewshire Council has the overall responsibility to provide an effective Flood Management Service in accordance with its duties. The responsibility for the efficient and effective delivery of flood management sits within Environment, Housing & Infrastructure. The Council uses a variety of measures to ensure it fulfils its statutory duties including: • Flood prevention schemes • Regular grid cleaning • Cyclical maintenance of gullies • Gully inspections • Capital drainage improvements 3.2. Role of other agencies Whilst local authorities have responsibilities in relation to flooding, other agencies also have responsibilities for flooding issues. The division of responsibilities for flood prevention and watercourse maintenance, piped water systems, flood warning and flood emergency response requires co-operation between the respective agencies involved, principally the local authority, SEPA, Scottish Water and the emergency services, in order to secure appropriate action during emergency flood events. It should also be noted that in a number of locations, the ability to clear water from a road via the gully network is constrained by the capacity of the receiving asset, which in most cases, is the responsibility of Scottish Water. A good example of this is Linwood Toll, near Fulbar Road in Paisley, which is prone to significant flooding during extreme rain events. The gully and gully tails at this location are regularly cleared, however, the capacity of the combined sewer is insufficient for the surface water levels experienced. In these circumstances, water will back up through the gullies, and ultimately flood the road. Renfrewshire Council notify Scottish Water of each and every flooding event at these locations, to allow Scottish Water to compile a case for capital funding for major asset upgrading.
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Roads Adoption Policy 11 3.3. Weather Alerts and Weather Warnings During both the summer and winter seasons, the Met Office monitors weather forecasts to help Public Sector organisations and the public prepate for adverse weather. Where episodes of particularly hot or cold weather are identified, they carry out a joint dynamic risk assessment and issue alerts if necessary. Weather Alerts usually cover a large area where severe weather conditions could develop. A Weather Warning happens when conditions are already occurring or will be soon. It’s intended goal is to provide enough time for organisations and members of the public to prepare and activate emergency plans. The Met Office issue weather warnings to make people aware that there is a high chance of dangerous weather. This can be for rain, thunderstorms, wind, snow, lightning, ice, extreme heat and fog. Weather warnings are given a colour (yellow, amber or red) depending on a combination of both the impact the weather may have and the likelihood of those impacts occurring. Yellow and amber warnings represent a range of impact levels and likelihoods. This means it is important to read each warning to know what level of impact you can expect for your chosen warning area – and how likely those impacts are to occur. Yellow warning: yellow warnings can be issued when it is likely that the weather will cause some low-level impacts, including some disruption to travel in a few places. Many people may be able to continue with their daily routine, but there will be some that will be directly impacted and so it is important to assess if you could be affected. Amber warning: there is an increased likelihood of impacts from severe weather, which could potentially disrupt your plans. This means there is the possibility of travel delays, road and rail closures and the potential risk to life. Red warning: dangerous weather is expected and, if you haven’t already done so, you should take action now to keep yourself and others safe from the impact of the severe weather. It is very likely that there will be a risk to life, with substantial disruption to travel, you should avoid travelling, where possible, and follow the advice of the emergency services and local authorities.
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Roads Adoption Policy 12 4. What will the Council do The Road Operations Team along with Neighbourhood Services and the Roadwork Coordinators play a key role in any emergency response to any flooding alert in terms of preparing, responding, and recovering from a flooding incident. When a flood alert is received the following duties are carried out: • Inspect and maintain flood prevention schemes and pumping station; • Priority grids cleaned; • Gully hot spots cleaned; • Priority sweeping routes cleaned; • Issue communications to Elected Members and members of the public; and • River levels monitored where appropriate. If a flooding incident occurs out of hours, Roads Standby Supervisor will be responsible for co-ordinating resources. Resources will initially be directed to priority 1 locations. These are locations which historically causes flooding and where there is a risk of road closures and damage to properties. 5. Flood Prevention Schemes and Reservoirs There are two flood prevention schemes in Renfrewshire at Ferry Road Renfrew and Moredun Paisley. Renfrew Flood Prevention Scheme If there is a tidal warning issued from SEPA for Renfrew, our defined Renfrew Flood Prevention Protocol will be put into operation. SEPA Flood Alerts are issued for regional areas (in our case – West Central Scotland) and may or may not highlight possible Tidal Flooding. A Flood Alert requires no action at Renfrew, other than be aware that a Flood Warning for Renfrew may follow. Alerts are issued between 2 hrs and 2 days in advance of forecast flooding. SEPA Flood Warnings issued for predicted levels of 3.4mAOD (which is the level of the top of the Renfrew Ferry Access ramp from Ferry Road) and above, and will state the predicted maximum tide level and time. Warnings aim to be issued 3-6hrs in advance of expected tidal flooding. Roads Operations team will mobilise planned actions according to predicted tide level.
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Roads Adoption Policy 13 Predicted Tide Level Actions Below 3.6metres No action required 3.6m to 3.89m 1) Sandbag properties on wet side of barrier. 2) Prepare to erect Spring Dam Barriers on Ferry Rd & Fishers Lane. 3) Prepare to close Ferry Rd manhole penstock. 3.9m and above 1) Sandbag properties on wet side of barrier. 2) Prepare to erect Spring Dam Barriers on Ferry Rd & Fishers Lane. 3) Erect Spring Dam Barriers on Ferry Rd & Fishers Lane. 4) Close Ferry Road manhole penstock. If Barrier Fails Sandbag both the barrier areas Once the tide recedes below the bottom of barriers, demobilisation will take effect: 1) Road Operations take down barriers. 2) Road Operations open Ferry Road manhole penstock. 3) Road Operations remove contaminated sandbags. 4) Before leaving site ensure all barrier paraphernalia and Ferry Road penstock key (carriageway manhole lifting irons) are returned to green roadside cabinets. The barrier shall be checked and erected by Road Operations. Maintenance of the barrier is carried out by the private watercourse contractor and shall be undertaken 3 times per year. Moredun Flood Prevention Scheme A visual check of the grids and the perimeter fencing is carried out weekly. In addition to the visual checks, a reservoir engineer inspects this site annually. They also advise on embankment safety issues. Reservoirs There are two main reservoirs (Thornley and Moredun Playing Fields) in Renfrewshire which are annually inspected. These annual inspection reports are then sent to SEPA. 6. Pumping Stations, Grids and Gullys There are five pumping stations located at the following locations: 1. Collier Street, Johnstone 2. Rankine Street, Johnstone 3. Linwood Toll, Paisley 4. Howie Street, Paisley
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Roads Adoption Policy 14 5. Fingal Road, Renfrew These pumping stations , are designed to raise water to a higher elevation, are routinely maintained and inspected. An emergency call out service is provided within 2-4 hours. The water grid works much like our road network, connecting sources such as dams, reservoirs via infrastructure including pipes and pumps, and natural elements like rivers. When a flood alert is received the following duties are carried out: • Inspect and maintain flood prevention schemes and pumping station; • Priority grids cleaned; • Gully hot spots cleaned; A list of the grids and gully hot spots to be priority checked and cleaned following a flood alert or warning are listed in Appendix 1. 7. Plan Review This plan is a living document and will be reviewed and updated if/when statute or national standards or best practice requires it. This policy will be reviewed after 12 months of operation and then every 3 years.
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Roads Adoption Policy 15 Appendix 1 – Grids and Gully Hotspots Paisley Location Linwood Toll Pumps (At Millerston) Greenhill road under railway bridge Murray street under bridge Morar Drive (at No. 89 and adjacent properties) Cardell Road Corsebar Road at 134 Corsebar Road to front of flats and Hospital Craw Road (at low point near junction with Corsebar Rd) Nethercraigs Road grating and adjacent gullies Dundonald Road (at No. 54) Marjory Drive Barrhead Road (opposite Ladykirk Crescent) Douchray Drive Glasgow Road (particularly around No.s 329-343) Buchlyvie Road (in front of No. 42) Candren Road (back road to Linwood) Hillcrest Avenue/Caplaw Road Park Avenue, Stanely Road and Park Road Culvert Screens Millarston Culvert inlet grid on Candren Burn (behind St Andrews Timber and Building Supplies (West) Ltd) Meikleriggs Drive/Rosewood Avenue/Moorhouse Avenue Honey Bog Hill/Kinpurnie Road (No. 51 and adjacent)
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Roads Adoption Policy 16 Johnstone Location Beith Road at Johnstone High School Auchengreoch Avenue Spateston Road at Hallhill Farm Beith Road at Fordbank Primary School Greenend Avenue Dundonald Avenue (to front of No. 102) Miller Street Shanks Crescent Stirling Drive, at Kilbarchan Road junction Kilbarchan Road (in front of papermill) Beith Road/Quarrelton Road junction Craigview Avenue (to front of old St David’s PS site) Auchengreoch Road Canal Road (at Main Street end) Quarrelton Road railway culvert grid Kilbarchan
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Roads Adoption Policy 17 Location Milliken Park Road off Tandlehill Road Churchill Place and Station Road Low Barholm/Easwald Bank Kibblestone Road / Bridesmilll Road junction Lochwinnoch Location Newton of Barr A760 West of The Hole (at disused r/way bridge) Main Street A760 Kilbirnie Road (between Lochs) Kilbirnie Road (north of Lochs where road runs parallel with the River Calder) Burnfoot Road near Newton of Barr Lochlip Road A760 at Kerse Farm Howwood Location Bowfield Road Inchinnan
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Roads Adoption Policy 18 Location Georgetown Road under M8 Old Greenock Road in front of Primary School Luckinsford Avenue Crosslee Location Crosslee Park Renfrew Location Simons Crescent Ferry Road/Clyde Street/London Street (mix of residential and commercial properties) Erskine Location Erskine Harbour (roundabout at Torrance House) Bridgeway A726 (at Pandemonium) Newshot Drive, at Parkvale roundabout Brookfield Location
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Roads Adoption Policy 19 Bridge of Weir Road, just west of Deafhillock roundabout Sandholes Road & Burnside Avenue Lochermill Cattery on Crosslee Road Bridge of Weir Location Main Street (at Amaretto Italian Restaurant) Clevans Road (natural bowl section between Carruth Road & Horsewood Road) Houston Road (by Houston Dam) Loch Place POW burn through Glen Bishopton Location Churchill Drive Greenock Road Greenock Road at Kinston Rd junction Formakin Bridge at The West Mill Linwood Location Riverbank Cottage, off Candren Road (Linwood end)
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Roads Adoption Policy 20 Environment, Housing & Infrastructure Renfrewshire Council Renfrewshire House Cotton Street Paisley PA1 1BR