Tony Edwards gave an update on behalf of Tom Sly, Flood Management Officer, at Merton Council.

• Repairs to gully connections and new highway drainage pipework was completed in April on Coombe Lane in Raynes Park town centre (Amity Grove to Lambton Rd section) by Merton Council. At the same time, Thames Water undertook jetting and cleansing of their surface water sewers in this part of the town centre under the Council’s traffic management.

• Merton are awaiting the outcome of our x3 surface water management bids to Thames Water – one of the bids includes a new SuDS raingarden feature outside the Shell Garage on Worple Rd.

• Merton are working closely with Thames Water, the Environment Agency and Network Rail on a flood risk feasibility study for Raynes Park. This first stage of this work is to undertake a detailed hydraulic model for the wider area, with the project partners. From the model, we will be able to produce a long list of options which provide the best benefits for flood risk reduction along with other deliverables such as improved amenity, water quality and biodiversity.

• Merton are working with Metis Consultants to complete formal flood risk investigations into the flooding that occurred last summer across the Raynes Park catchment. We will be undertaking a survey seeking feedback from residents and businesses to ensure all reports of flooding are captured. This survey will be on our website and the Council will issue comms on this, including via social media when available.

• There remains an issue with residents and businesses not reporting flooding from surface water sewers and foul sewers to Thames Water. For instance, if a manhole overflows and floods, this is a matter that should be reported to Thames Water. We encourage all to report flooding to Thames Water as this will affect future capital investment and remedial works by Thames Water. Thames Water’s telephone number to report flooding on is 0800 3169 800. The Thames Water sewer flooding questionnaire can be found here: https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=zb56VRQyu0-OUUFLaOu3ljewBCxI7CJHjCHCf31I76FUMEMwNkkxRVdIMEVVS1BPM0xZVVBTVjZFUi4u

• Residents can report blocked gullies directly on the Council’s website for priority clearance here: https://www.merton.gov.uk/streets-parking-transport/street-cleaning/drain-and-sewer-problems

• Residents at risk of flooding should all visit the National Flood Forum where they can find more information and guidance on what they can do to help manage their own flood risk and help using property level protection.

• There is information on the gov.uk website regarding steps to prepare to flooding here: Prepare for a flood

• For those residents who live adjacent to a main river they should also visit Owning a watercourse - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) to find out what responsibilities they may have if any. Any further queries relating to main rivers such as the Beverley Brook and Pyl Brook. Any queries on this should be directed to enquiries@environment-agency.gov.uk and specify you live within the Environment Agency’s Kent and South London Area.

• The Council’s information on flood risk management is hosted on Merton’s website here: Flooding and rivers (merton.gov.uk)

Tony said the RPA keen to work with Merton Council and Thames about other solutions and mitigations.