Groups
Wellesbourne & Walton Flood Action Group (WWFAG)
Wellesbourne & Walton Flood Action Group was formed in 2018 under the auspices of the National Flood Forum. We are a small group of local volunteers with the aim of reducing the risk of flooding to properties in Wellesbourne and Walton by planning and implementing measures which will “Slow the Flow” of both the Newbold Brook and the River Dene.
Both brook and river have caused major flooding as far back as 1968, 1998 and 2007, along with a series of “near misses” over the last 6 years.
WWFAG works in colllaboration with a number of Agency-partners: Wellesbourne & Walton PC, WCC Flood Risk Management team, Environment Agency, Severn Rivers Trust, Warwickshire Wildlife Trust, Severn Trent Water and Orbit Housing. Our projects are based on the use of Natural Flood Management techniques to “Slow the Flow”, such as Holding Ponds, Leaky Barriers and Tree and Hedge planting. No work can begin without the Legal Consent of the landowner and the WCC FRM Team, and wherever possible, the work will also provide environmental and ecological benefits.
A good example is the series of holding ponds and bunds created at Moreton Morrell Agricultural College Farm, part of the Warwickshire College Group.
The Problem
Two brooks – Bog Brook and Home Brook – flow through the fields before joining the main Newbold Brook. Entry and Exit channels were dug out for each brook, along with a number of holding ponds and the excess soil was used to form a bund to ensure no water held would adversely affect neighbouring arable fields.
The earth bund was sown with wildflower seeds, and the ponds now act as a wetland to attract wildlife such as frogs, newts, invertebrates and wading birds. Flood Water retained within the ponds and bunds can flow slowly back into the brook and benefits from the filtration process involved in its slow release.
To tackle the flooding from Hell Hole Brook, which flows from the Fosse Way down to Staple Hill, before joining Newbold Brook, our project created a first flight of 20 leaky barriers.
Each leaky barrier uses environmentally-friendly untreated oak vertical posts and lengths of fallen tree trunks, with additional ground level diverter logs to spread out the excess water within the valley.
A second flight of leaky barriers is now in planning for Hell Hole Brook.
Image shows leaky barrier spreading out excess water into the valley.
WWFAG has recently learned of an award of a Project Grant with Severn Rivers Trust to develop similar projects on a larger scale for the River Dene upper catchment over the next 18 months.
WWFAG also work with local residents and Severn Trent’s River Rangers to keep Newbold Brook clear where it runs between Newbold Road and the Old Warwick Road.
Volunteers always welcome!
Contact us
Ready to make a difference for wildlife in South Warwickshire? Whether you have five minutes or five hours to spare, there’s a place for you in our growing community.
Contact us if you would like to get involved.
Wellesbourne & Walton Flood Action Group
Upcoming Events
Community Balsam Pulls – Gunnings Bridge and other locations
Regular community Himalayan balsam pulls along the Arrow and Alne catchment. Starting at Gunnings Bridge, with locations updated weekly depending on where the balsam is coming through most strongly. Locations …
April 15 - September 15River Arrow Monthly Community River Walk
Our regular monthly community river walk following the usual Jubilee Fields loop from the Eric Payne Community Centre.
May 2 @ 1:00 pm - 2:30 pmRiver Arrow – Dawn Chorus Day Gathering at Gunnings Bridge
An early morning riverside gathering to listen to the dawn chorus on Dawn Chorus Day. Meet at Gunnings Bridge car park, then a short walk into the nature reserve. Please …
May 5 @ 5:30 am - 6:15 am
