1-15 of 15 results for subject:"Flood control"
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To ask His Majesty’s Government what plans they have to improve the resilience of rail infrastructure against future storms and floods.
To ask His Majesty’s Government what plans they have to improve the resilience of rail infrastructure against future storms and floods.
My Lords, my department’s climate adaptation strategy for transport embraces detailed work on the railway infrastructure by Network Rail. That organisation has produced weather resilience and climate change adaptation plans by railway region, looking out not only over the five-year control period to 2029 but further into the 2030s. Those plans identify priority sites for maintenance,
renewal and enhancement. Beyond 2029, work programmes will be firmed up and funded in future control periods.
My Lords, I am very grateful to my noble friend for that Answer and to know how much work Network Rail is doing to mitigate the effect of global warming. But when we look at the south-west, we see most of it cut off for several days—weeks, occasionally—not just by high tides, which are going to get higher, but by river floods. We may get a situation where the whole railway between, say, Newton Abbot and Exeter is closed and not repairable, so is it not time to start a formal study into the viability of inland routes and how they could be developed? That would give people who live in the south-west some comfort that the long-term resilience of the whole rail network down there is being looked at and preserved.
My Lords, I am very grateful to my noble friend for that Answer and to know how much work Network Rail is doing to mitigate the effect of global warming. But when we look at the south-west, we see most of it cut off for several days—weeks, occasionally—not just by high tides, which are going to get higher, but by river floods. We may get a situation where the whole railway between, say, Newton Abbot and Exeter is closed and not repairable, so is it not time to start a formal study into the viability of inland routes and how they could be developed? That would give people who live in the south-west some comfort that the long-term resilience of the whole rail network down there is being looked at and preserved.
As an engineer, my noble friend will know that Brunel built the railway around the south Devon coast in 1846 and that it has been under attack by the tides and weather ever since. The most serious closure was of nearly 60 days in 2014, and that was remedied by a large-scale investment project that spent £165 million. That resulted in a railway that was sufficiently resilient to remain closed for only 36 hours earlier this year, despite terrible weather.
The citizens of Devon and Cornwall can be quite comfortable that the future resilience of the railway is being looked after. The alternative route, which stopped operation some 60 years ago, in fact closed temporarily for a much longer period due to the heaviest rainfall ever recorded in the south-west. It would not be a sufficiently resilient route, even if it could be afforded to be rebuilt.
To ask His Majesty's Government what is the (1) scope, and (2) cost, of Phases (a) 4, and (b) 5, of the works to protect the Dawlish area rail line from flooding; what is the reason for the delay in proceeding with them; whether funding for Phase 5 will be withheld;...
To ask His Majesty's Government what is the (1) scope, and (2) cost, of Phases (a) 4, and (b) 5, of the works to protect the Dawlish area rail line from flooding; what is the reason for the delay in proceeding with them; whether funding for Phase 5 will be withheld;...
I can confirm that Network Rail has delivered the first two phases of the South West Rail Resilience Programme to provide protection to the railway at Dawlish from coastal flooding. Subsequent phases of the programme relate to cliff protection measures. The third phase is currently in delivery, and a fourth phase covering the railway between Dawlish and Holcombe has funding of £32m and will shortly commence. The fifth and final phase of the programme will address the mile-long section of the railway between Teignmouth and Parson’s Tunnel. Network Rail is developing a detailed scope, cost and a risk-based delivery proposal.
Lords question for short debate on what plans they have to address the concerns in the report by the National Infrastructure Commission, The Second National Infrastructure Assessment: Baseline Report, published in November.
Lords question for short debate on what plans they have to address the concerns in the report by the National Infrastructure Commission, The Second National Infrastructure Assessment: Baseline Report, published in November.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what progress has been made in improving the resilience of the railway line at Dawlish towards south Devon and Cornwall since the two-month disruption beginning on 5 February 2014.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what progress has been made in improving the resilience of the railway line at Dawlish towards south Devon and Cornwall since the two-month disruption beginning on 5 February 2014.
My Lords, Network Rail has worked to develop long-term solutions to make the railway at Dawlish and Teignmouth more resilient to extreme weather, engaging an expert team of tunnel, cliff and railway engineers. This is part of a £15 million investment provided by the Government. The first phase of work to protect the sea wall began in November, with essential repairs now completed to four breakwaters. Following engagement with local stakeholders in autumn last year, Network Rail has now submitted plans for a new, stronger sea wall at Dawlish.
I am grateful to the Minister for that reply, and am sure the House will wish to congratulate Network Rail on the way it recovered from that terrible accident five years ago where the track was waving in the air with nothing underneath it. However, is the Minister aware that already this winter services have been disrupted on 10 occasions—sometimes because the tide is just over the tracks and the tracks are buried? One solution might be for the Secretary of State to play King Canute, but I am sure he would not want to do that. The alternative is to encourage Network Rail with some funding to go ahead with the issues that the Minister mentioned. Also, will she start looking at the process of reopening the Okehampton-Tavistock line, to provide a better service to Plymouth and Cornwall for when the line by the sea is disrupted?
I am grateful to the Minister for that reply, and am sure the House will wish to congratulate Network Rail on the way it recovered from that terrible accident five years ago where the track was waving in the air with nothing underneath it. However, is the Minister aware that already this winter services have been disrupted on 10 occasions—sometimes because the tide is just over the tracks and the tracks are buried? One solution might be for the Secretary of State to play King Canute, but I am sure he would not want to do that. The alternative is to encourage Network Rail with some funding to go ahead with the issues that the Minister mentioned. Also, will she start looking at the process of reopening the Okehampton-Tavistock line, to provide a better service to Plymouth and Cornwall for when the line by the sea is disrupted?
I join the noble Lord in congratulating Network Rail and the orange army who did such a great job of recovery after the storms more than five years ago. We have been clear that ongoing investment in the south-west transport infrastructure is a key priority, and we remain determined to find a permanent solution for Dawlish. As I said, £15 million of funding has been made available, and world-leading engineers have been carrying out detailed assessments. Network Rail is making good progress on its plans, and we are considering them carefully.
On the noble Lord’s point about the regular Okehampton service, we are working closely with the local councils on that. We responded to the future of the Great Western franchise consultation last August, and are looking into what scope of work will be needed to reinstate regular services on that route.
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon on 21 December 2016 (HL4156), whether the Environment Agency intends to support the removal by Network Rail of the three weirs on the river Exe above Exeter to reduce the risk of flooding on the...
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon on 21 December 2016 (HL4156), whether the Environment Agency intends to support the removal by Network Rail of the three weirs on the river Exe above Exeter to reduce the risk of flooding on the...
The Environment Agency (EA) has been aiding Network Rail and their consultants on producing a flood and geomorphology risk assessment on the proposal to remove the three weirs near Cowley Bridge.
The EA has provided all the local flood history, river flow and river state data that it has, and the required specification and scenarios that any modelling results must produce.
Once this report is submitted, the EA will assess the impact on third parties and the environment in terms of flood risk and environmental impacts. The EA will also assess the impact, if any, on the new flood defence scheme currently being built in Exeter.
The EA recently issued flood risk activity permits for the Network Rail improvement to the flood culvert under the railway upstream of Cowley Bridge. The culvert works are expected to be completed during summer 2018 and will reduce flood risk to the railway.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon on 14 December (HL3737), when the Environment Agency intends to remove the weirs obstructing the flood water upstream of Cowley Bridge.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon on 14 December (HL3737), when the Environment Agency intends to remove the weirs obstructing the flood water upstream of Cowley Bridge.
The removal of weirs in the River Exe is not part of the Environment Agency’s scheme to better protect the communities in the city of Exeter from flooding.
The option of removal of the three weirs at Exwick, Cowley and Pynes is being examined by Network Rail as the last stage of its work to help protect the railway at Cowley Bridge Junction (just north of Exeter) from flooding from the rivers Exe, Culm and Creedy. Subject to a detailed assessment of the impact of such a scheme of the wider area to be carried out by Network Rail, consent from the Environment Agency and funding availability, a weir scheme could follow on from work to widen and improve the existing flood culvert during 2017 and install an additional culvert in 2018.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of the flooding and railway closures in 2012 and 2016, when they expect the improvements to the River Exe, upstream of Exeter, to be completed.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of the flooding and railway closures in 2012 and 2016, when they expect the improvements to the River Exe, upstream of Exeter, to be completed.
Cowley Bridge Junction (on the railway to the immediate north of Exeter) was closed for two days from 21 to 23 November 2016 due to flooding from the Rivers Exe, Culm and Creedy.
Network Rail has already raised all of the lineside railway signal cabinets at the site which put them above the level of the recent flood, significantly reducing train service restitution times after the incident. They advise that more work is planned, including widening and improvement of the existing flood culvert during 2017 and installation of an additional culvert in 2018.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the total estimated cost of the works near Cowley Bridge to improve the resilience of the railway by removing three weirs from the River Exe, and what funding the Environment Agency is contributing to the works.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the total estimated cost of the works near Cowley Bridge to improve the resilience of the railway by removing three weirs from the River Exe, and what funding the Environment Agency is contributing to the works.
Network Rail has allocated £13.4million from the geo-environmental resilience programme. Their preferred option involves the removal of three weirs close to Stafford's bridge and Cowley bridge.
The Environment Agency are not providing financial assistance with the scheme, but support the scheme as it complements their Exeter Flood defence scheme and their general approach of returning rivers to their natural states.
Over the coming months, Network Rail will work with the Environment Agency to work out how they deliver the scheme collaboratively.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government when the Environment Agency was first aware that the section of sea wall at Dawlish that has now failed was in a weak state; and what action it took at that time. [HL5329]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government when the Environment Agency was first aware that the section of sea wall at Dawlish that has now failed was in a weak state; and what action it took at that time. [HL5329]
The sea wall at Dawlish is not an Environment Agency asset; the Environment Agency were not aware that it was in a weak condition until 4 February 2014.
This is an operational matter for Network Rail, who owns this asset.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what are the benefits to the resilience against flooding of the Great Western main line in the Exeter area of the Exeter Flood Defence Scheme described on pages 127-8 of the National Infrastructure Plan 2013.[HL3933]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what are the benefits to the resilience against flooding of the Great Western main line in the Exeter area of the Exeter Flood Defence Scheme described on pages 127-8 of the National Infrastructure Plan 2013.[HL3933]
Two kilometres of the Great Western main line between Cowley Bridge and St David’s station and associated infrastructure, including St David’s station, will benefit from reduced flood risk in the area covered by the Exeter Flood Defence Scheme. The proposed scheme will reduce annual flood risk to 1 in 100.
In respect of the proposals in the Maidenhead flood relief scheme to remove about three million tonnes of gravel for resale to the construction industry, whether the Environment Agency has investigated the full environmental effects of removing the gravel by road and rail; and how, in coming to its decision...
In respect of the proposals in the Maidenhead flood relief scheme to remove about three million tonnes of gravel for resale to the construction industry, whether the Environment Agency has investigated the full environmental effects of removing the gravel by road and rail; and how, in coming to its decision...
What was the purchase price of the Greenwich Millennium site by English Partnerships from British Gas; and whether they will list any current rights or obligations of British Gas in respect of the Greenwich Millennium site both now and after the Millennium. - Includes figures.
What was the purchase price of the Greenwich Millennium site by English Partnerships from British Gas; and whether they will list any current rights or obligations of British Gas in respect of the Greenwich Millennium site both now and after the Millennium. - Includes figures.
How much has been spent at the Greenwich Millennium site on dealing with contaminated land, and what were the sources of funds for this work. - As at 30 June 1997, English Partnerships' expenditure on reclamation and servicing totalled £8.6 million met from public funds.
How much has been spent at the Greenwich Millennium site on dealing with contaminated land, and what were the sources of funds for this work. - As at 30 June 1997, English Partnerships' expenditure on reclamation and servicing totalled £8.6 million met from public funds.