Flooding Risk – Wilstone, Puttenham and Long Marston

We have been warned that there is a heightened risk of flooding in the Tring Rural Area (Wilstone, Astrope and Long Marston) . This is being managed by the Hertfordshire County Council Resilience Team.

They have been notified by The Canal & River Trust (CRT) that the Wilstone reservoir is now 'on weir' for the rest of the winter. This means that the reservoir is full with surplus water spilling over a weir at the top of the bank designed for this purpose. Some excess water will need to be siphoned off into the Grand Union Canal and via local tributaries. Obviously the amount of water being released by these means will depend crucially on the rainfall until normal canal use once again reduces the reservoir water level.

As a result of this action there is the potential for localised flooding particularly on Astrope Lane/Watery Lane - the clue is in the name! This is a rural country lane without houses nearby for the central part of its route.

• No properties are thought to be at direct risk, although Dacorum Borough Council have been made aware, and they are in turn liaising with Tring Rural Parish Council.
• Hertfordshire Highways are also aware of this potential risk and are planning to take some precautionary action (e.g. deployment of signage and raise awareness via Twitter).
• The Hertfordshire County Council Communications Department have been informed in case there are any calls from members of the public or any press/media interest.
• Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Services (HFRS)are aware and are working with the HCC Resilience Team. HFRS will attend any flooding incidents in the area affected (phone 999 if necessary) or if there are any calls regarding Wilstone Reservoir.
• The Environment Agency have also been made aware of the heightened risk.

This situation is likely to remain for a number of months and any adverse weather or heavy rainfall and the saturated ground conditions will exacerbate the general risk of flooding in the area. The activity of siphoning off excess reservoir water heightens this risk even further. Residents of Wilstone will already be aware of the potential for problems along part of Tring Road and Sandbrook Lane. Residents of Long Marston will also already be aware of potential problems, especially in Chapel End Lane. HFRS attended both locations recently and are familiar with those local situations.