Introduction
The Bassetlaw Flood Partnership was established in October 2023 with the purpose of bringing together local stakeholders to work collaboratively with the aim of reducing the risk and impact of flooding across the district of Bassetlaw. The core partners involved in the Partnership are Bassetlaw District Council, Canal and River Trust, Environment Agency, Internal Drainage Boards, Nottinghamshire County Council and Severn Trent Water.
This action plan provides a framework to drive this work forward in a co-ordinated manner and hold partners to account to ensure timely progress. The plan covers the whole of the Bassetlaw District but has a focus on the largest towns with a history of flooding events. The plan builds on national good practice and is structured around 4 key themes:
- Partnership Working
- Flood Alleviation Schemes
- Asset Maintenance and Improvement
- Community Resilience and Communications
The plan is RAG rated (Red – items needing urgent action; Amber – items ongoing and needing further update; Green – items completed). Green items will remain for the cycle of one meeting of the partnership before being removed and archived in order to keep the document user friendly.
Authorities
- EA= Enviroment Agency
- NCC = Nottinghamshire County Council
- STW = Severn Trent Water
- IDB = Internal Drainage Board
- NWT = Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust
- C&RT = Canal and River Trust
Theme 1: Partnership Working
| Reference | What we are going to do | When will we start | When will we aim to finish | Lead agency | Progress update |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1(1) | Ensure that the Bassetlaw Flood Partnership meets 4 time per year and is well attended | January 2024 | Ongoing | BDC | Complete – quarterly meetings now timetabled at the start of each year |
| 1(2) | Engage with East Midlands Councils to establish a strong collective voice to lobby Government to change to the funding rules governing Environment Agency projects | January 2024 | Ongoing | BDC | Engagement continuing through Flood Partnership Chair and BDC Asst. Chief Executive Officer Action re this area completed |
| 1(3) | Engage with the East Midlands Mayoral Combined County Authority to highlight the negative economic and social impact of flooding in Nottinghamshire / Bassetlaw | June 2024 | Ongoing | BDC | Meeting previously held with the EMCCA Mayor who was looking to secure meeting with MP Emma Hardy. This meeting still being chased as has not yet taken place (June 2025) Update October 2025 still in the hands of the flooding minister has been pursued vigorously |
| 1(4) | Ensure senior Environment Agency representation on the Worksop Town Board which will determine spending priorities for the Long-Term Towns Fund | March 2024 | Ongoing | BDC | Complete – representation on WTB now established |
| 1(5) | Explore partnership opportunities during Severn Trent’s current Asset Management Performance (AMP) period in planning to manage flood risk (AMP8 2025 to 2030). Scope includes Severn Trent flood risk management work and wider work programmes. To include Property Flood Resilience (PFR), flood resilience schemes, sewer flooding capital schemes, network optimisation, incident response, as well as other programmes such as storm overflows and catchment management | October 2024 | Ongoing | STW | AMP 8 commenced in April 2025 and initially will be looking at high priority storm overflows across STW area including 4 in Bassetlaw |
Theme 2a: Flood Alleviation Schemes - Retford
| Reference | What we are going to do | When will we start | When will we aim to finish | Lead agency | Progress update |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2a(1) | Explore options for Retford Beck storage works at Grove Lane using the adjacent playing field land through hydraulic modelling and ground investigations | Summer 2024 | BDC | EA | This project was initially progressed through the 2023 Recovery Programme with ground investigations undertaken in June 2024. As this project would generate new flood defences, it could not be progressed further through Recovery and must be formalised on the EA’s Capital Programme. When the necessary resource is available, the project exploring flood storage on the Retford Beck will be proposed as to join the Capital Programme. |
| 2a(2) | River Idle - model upstream storage options, impact and cost benefits | Summer 2024 | 2025/26 | EA | Waiting for updated River Idle model through Lower Idle Asset Management Scheme (LIAMS) and available modelling resource |
| 2a(3) | Model increasing the height of the natural banks of the Idle in key places affecting the Carr Dyke / Darrel Road area | Summer 2024 | 2025/26 | EA | As a part of the Carr Dyke modelling report, the option of ground raising alongside the allotments was investigated. While some reduction in flood levels along Darrel Road was demonstrated, flood risk was increased to other properties and is therefore not viable as an isolated project. There are plans to further explore the River Idle in a broader modelling study, but the resource to do so is not yet available |
| 2a(4) | Model the interrelationship between Internal Drainage Board and Environment Agency assets for the river Idle on land behind Darrell Road and establish the most viable solution " |
Summer 2024 | 2025/26 | EA | The Carr Dyke modelling report, produced in April 2025, investigate the option of storing floodwater on land upstream of Darrel Road between the railway embankments. This land is a part of the functional floodplain of the River Idle. It was found that lowering ground levels further work is ongoing with within this area to store water from the River Idle did not protect any properties on Darrel Road during a 5% (1 in 20) Annual Exceedance Probability (AEP) event. There are plans to further explore the River Idle in a broader modelling study once resources are available, work between the iDB and Network rail on the Dyke as well as the EA continues. |
| 2a(5) | Investigate the option of preventing or restricting flow from the River Idle into the Carr Dyke through the Lincoln Line railway embankment. | Winter 2026 | TBC | EA |
Discussions have been held between the IDB, Network Rail and the EA in December 2025. All parties are in agreement in principle that partially ""capping"" the culvert will restrict flows into the Carr Dyke while maintaining the culvert's function for conveying surface water. The IDB are engaging with their designers for the culvert cap and a bund to keep retained water back from the railway embankment toe. |
Theme 2b: Flood Alleviation Schemes - Worksop
| Reference | What we are going to do | When will we start | When will we aim to finish | Lead agency | Progress update |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2b(1) | Review Ryton hydraulic model | April 2024 | Autumn 2024 | EA | Completed |
| 2b(2) | Commission hydraulic model of Bull Brook and integrate into Ryton model | April 2024 | Autumn 2024 | EA | Completed |
| 2b(3) | Model the impact of replacing the broken Canal and River Trust sluice gate, alongside the transfer of asset ownership | Summer 2024 | Q4 2024/25 | EA | 2b(11) now replaces this action |
| 2b(4) | Deliver the Natural Flood Management programme following the award of £1.2M grant funding, including exploring options for Farr Park as a potential flagship project | January 2024 | March 2027 | Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust | Delivery has now commenced on several sites across the upper catchment. |
| 2b(5) | Review the asset interactions and opportunities to develop improvement schemes to better deal with surface water and Severn Trent Water asset relationships | April 2024 | 2025 | STW | This is being considered as part of some of the activities referenced in Action 1(5). For example, a) Network optimisation – Highway gullies were surveyed and added to the hydraulic model of the area to better understand interaction between sewers and highway gullies. Hydraulic modelling was completed last year to see whether small changes to the network could provide betterment to the Gateford, Worksop area. b) Feasibility – Severn Trent have started feasibility work to review the local flooding in greater detail and assess potential options to understand whether flood risk reduction measures can be delivered to reduce local flood risk. c) NCC led study - Severn Trent have also been supporting NCC on their integrated surface water modelling study to better understand the flooding mechanisms, with plans for this information to feed into Severn Trent’s feasibility work. d) Surface water outfall into the River Ryton – See action 2b (13). |
| 2b(6) | Model the impact of removal of the Bridge Street conveyance restriction and how it interrelates with modelling work at Priorswell Road | Summer 2024 | Ongoing | EA | The removal of conveyance restrictions was modelled in 2022. Should we have the funding in the future to update the baseline Ryton model further (e.g. to account for changes in asset arrangement at the Canch) then re-modelling the removal of Bridge St restriction may be desirable. Current funding limitations means we cannot progress with this currently. |
| 2b(7) | Undertake an up-to-date review of the existing economic assessment and review the costs and strategic outline case for the large-scale EA capital scheme | Summer 2024 | Q4 2024/25 | EA | Unlikely to have the resource to undertake this action in 26/27 however we will be assessing whether the new FCRM funding rules and guidance could change the economic feasibility of undertaking a project in Worksop. |
| 2b(8) | JBA Consulting have completed model build and assurances. The optioneering phase of the study, to determine whether any mitigations may be feasible is also complete and a draft report issues to NCC. NCC will be completing a full review of the study to inform next steps. | March 2024 | October 2025 | NCC | NCC Consultants working through outputs from EA modelling – this will inform what next steps would be. Report completed and now in next phase. |
| 2b(9) | Trent RFCC Innovation Fund bid for £30k to support development of a Worksop Local Flood Resilience Action Group. Will afford the buy-in of specialist community engagement expertise and aligns mentoring support from Lowdham LFAG | February 2025 | Project delivery planned dates July 2025 to March 2026 | "Bid – EA & Contracting delivery – BDC (via AI4G development programme) " |
Bid written, final consult & sign-off & RFCC submission 06/06/2025 – Funding bid agreed and finalised, now procurement process starts Feb 2026 |
| 2b(10) | Bid to test feasibility & develop investment case for proposal to integrate water management measures into the Chesterfield Canal to deliver flood resilience & adaptive growth for Worksop | January 2025 | Bid (decision) anticipated September 2025 | EA (via AI4G development programme) | Partnership developmental project funding bid (full draft written) – for submission June 2025 Update 01/04/26 funding support for programme is being pursued with EMCCA and awaiting responses |
| 2b(11) | Model the Bull Brook and update existing Ryton model at the Canch | July / August 2025 | April 2026 | EA | We are now in contract with a delivery partner. The scope does not include modelling for the Canch assets project due to funding limitations; however, we are hoping to progress this modelling separately should we have the resource in the future. |
| 2b(12) | Utilise new Bull Brook model and updated Ryton model to test: NFM/flood storage at Farr Park. Options for conveyance improvements at the Canch |
December 2025 | April 2026 | EA | To commence once the Bull Brook model and updated Ryton baselines have been completed |
| 2b(13) | Investigate options to improve drainage in the Central Avenue area via possible improvements to the outfall at the Canch | April 2025 | April 2026 | STW | Ongoing - CCTV survey of the network has been completed |
Theme 2c: Flood Alleviation Schemes - Clarborough
| Reference | What we are going to do | When will we start | When will we aim to finish | Lead agency | Progress update |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2c(1) | Explore feasibility of potential options identified to mitigate against flooding in Clarborough, following a previous consultant study. Develop detail designs for the works and deliver project | Procurement of initial survey began in 2023 | TBC | NCC | JBA Consulting have completed the draft report for a potential exceedance route for the Clarborough Beck. This is being reviewed by NCC to determine any final points and inform next steps. |
Theme 3a: Asset Maintenance and Improvement - Retford
| Reference | What we are going to do | When will we start | When will we aim to finish | Lead agency | Progress update |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3a(1) | River Idle de-silts through town centre and downstream | September 2024 | Ongoing | EA | Complete – Work has been completed on site; now scoping out and programming similar works in these areas as part of cyclical future maintenance |
| 3a(2) | River Idle conveyance and tree works through the town centre and downstream | October / November 2024 | Ongoing | EA | Complete – Work has been completed on site; now scoping out and programming similar works in these areas as part of cyclical future maintenance |
| 3a(3) | Thrumpton / Poulter View wall repair | 2024/25 Financial Year | Ongoing | EA | Complete – Works have been completed |
| 3a(4) | Investigate the footpath along the bank of the River Idle to understand when and why it became a footpath and whether any physical works were undertaken to enable this, and options to move/close this footpath to inform EA optioneering | February 2024 | March 2024 | NCC | Completed - footpath has always existed and is not part of any formal flood defence |
| 3a(5) | Undertake works to raise the level of the above footpath in low point near to railway bridge | Summer 2024 | Summer 2024 | EA | Works undertaken Sept 24 |
| 3a(6) | Develop a project to replace the culverts at Grove Lane and Blackstope Lane | 2023/24 | Not date set | EA | The project has progressed through 2025, with the Retford Beck hydraulic model updates nearing completion. We are reviewing the options that will be modelled and assessed economically to inform the business case. The EA aim to submit the business case for assurance in July 2026. |
Theme 3b: Asset Maintenance and Improvement - Worksop
| Reference | What we are going to do | When will we start | When will we aim to finish | Lead agency | Progress update |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3b(1) | Desilts at the Canch | October 2024 | Ongoing | EA | Complete – Scoped works have been completed. There are some more planned works just downstream of here for this/next FY. Also developing a programme for this to become cyclical maintenance |
| 3b(2) | River Ryton conveyance and tree works | October / November 2024 | Ongoing | EA | Complete – Work has been completed on site; now scoping out and programming similar works in these areas as part of cyclical future maintenance |
| 3b(3) | Targeted desilt works on the River Ryton throughout Worksop town centre and downstream | 2024/25 Financial Year | Ongoing | EA |
Some of these works are intended to be undertaken this FY, alongside Canch de-silt. Others need more planning and currently have no resource to progress until other projects on list are completed Update 06/25– No confirmed date for these yet but they will be programmed into future years projects |
| 3b(4) | "Install flow monitors on Bull Brook, develop the specification for clearance works within the dyke and undertake these works | May 2024 | October 2024 | EA / BDC |
The work has been completed Dyke Maintenance and clearing by Bassetlaw District Flow monitors fitted by EA awaiting Date info |
Theme 3c: Asset Maintenance and Improvement - Mission
| Reference | What we are going to do | When will we start | When will we aim to finish | Lead agency | Progress update |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3c(1) | Misson reservoir – repair bank and top up low spot | "2024/25 Financial Year | Ongoing | EA | Complete – Works have been completed |
Theme 4: Community Resilience and Communications
| Reference | What we are going to do | When will we start | When will we aim to finish | Lead agency | Progress update |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4(1) | Launch a Community Citizens web page to act as a one-stop shop for flooding related information and links with other partners websites | February 2024 | May 2024 | EA | Complete – EA have now published the Citizen Space pages – waiting on partners for specific updates that can be shared with the public |
| 4(2) | "Develop a Communications Plan for the Bassetlaw Flood Partnership to promote maintenance works being delivered and other positive developments | June 2024 | First Draft October 2024 | BDC | Last draft circulated at July 2025 meeting – final document expected at meeting September 2025 BDC Comm’s Team now fully aware of action plan details – draft to be available at the July 2025 meeting with final document expected at September 2025 |
| 4(3) | Promote and administer the Property Flood Resilience Grant scheme for residents affected by storms Babet and Henk | October 2024 | Ongoing | NCC | Complete |
| 4(4) | Hold community drop-in events to raise awareness of schemes being developed, listen to resident concerns and provide information about resilience planning | March 2024 | Ongoing | EA | Event in both Worksop and Retford have taken place in 20205 with excellent attendance from member of the public and also from the Agencies concerned, it is hoped further event will be in place in 20206 and these will be communicated through Comms channels |
| 4(5) | Update and distribute a Community Flood preparedness leaflet | July 2024 | September 2024 | BDC | Complete - leaflet re-publicised |
| 4(6) | Expand the Community Flood Signage Scheme – new locations in Rampton and Lound | 2025 | Ongoing | NCC | Complete – only one volunteer came forward for Rampton so new scheme unviable in these locations |
| 4(7) | Recruit more Flood Wardens and provide training | 2025 | Ongoing | EA | Continuing communication are ongoing from MP Jo White's office, as part of recruitment drive across BDC area – The MP Office has been in touch with EA re the training and this continues to be developed. There has been a small increase in the numbers but recruitment plans continue with the help of EA/NCC Emergency Planning and the MP Office |
| 4(8) | Explore location for additional community resilience stores in the High Marnham / Laneham / Dunham and Retford areas | March 2024 | September 2024 | BDC | Complete – additional stores installed in Retford and Dunham on Trent |
| 4(9) | Incorporate case study examples into planned ‘East Midland Better Business Flood Resilience Guide’ – includes Worksop examples of flood impacts, recovery & resilience actions | January 2025 | September 2025 | EA (via AI4G development programme) | Interviews & transcripts completed for Nathan John Car Sales, Salvation Army and Stagecoach Update 01/04/26 Publication funding carried across into this financial year to support ongoing work. |
| 4(10) | Launch new ‘Engagement HQ’ page for Bassetlaw to replace the Citizen Space pages | Summer 2025 | Ongoing | EA | The EHQ has now been published |
| 4(11) | Delivery of Property Flood Resilience (PFR) Worksop | Ongoing | STW (Gateford Only) NCC | Work commenced in November 2025. All properties (140) effected affected by previous flood events have been contacted by NCC. Community Engagement events have taken place. NCC are working in partnership with STW for the properties in Gateford, Worksop, being offered PFR. NCC have also delivered 3 drop-in points for the public and been actively involved with the provider in delivering PFR measure in other areas |
Last Updated on Wednesday, June 17, 2026