Case study
In May 2018, parts of the West Midlands experienced high intensity rainfall, which in Solihull led to a rapid increase and volume of surface water and associated river flooding.
Of all the data collected across the West Midlands, it was at a site in Tidbury Green, in the south west of Solihull, where the largest event was recorded. 89mm was measured in 2 hours and over 100mm for the day.
Residents of 178 properties mainly across Blythe, Shirley West, Hockley Heath and Olton reported internal property flooding, with many forced to evacuate their homes. As the floodwater rose some residents were left to live upstairs or seek alternative accommodation.
Significant disruption to roads and services was also experienced. Due to the nature of the flooding experienced, assessments were completed by the Council and it was determined that conventional flood storage or other large scale interventions were neither appropriate or economically viable as these would be unlikely to provide significant standards of protection. Phase 1 of the Solihull PFR Scheme was initiated, with Phase 2 triggered following a surface water flood event in June 2021.
In total, 241 properties were identified as eligible for inclusion in the scheme.
To help improve resilience to flooding within the worst affected communities, JBA Consulting was appointed by Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council (SMBC) through Lot 1 of the Environment Agency’s Property Flood Resilience (PFR) Framework, to carry out independent PFR property surveys.
Over 180 properties were eligible to be part of Phase 1 which covered the areas of Pear Tree Crescent, Corley Close, Tidbury Green, Cheswick Green and Nethercote Gardens. The aim of the scheme was to reduce the impact of surface water flooding during future flood events, through the provision of resistance measures such as flood doors, door barriers, smart airbrick replacements and pumps.
The scheme had a great response from residents, keen to help protect their properties, and a 70% uptake was achieved overall.
During the winter of 2020 our PFR teams surveyed 125 properties throughout Solihull. SMBC staff accompanied us on many of these surveys to gain a better understanding of the PFR process and to share their wealth of knowledge relating to flood history and flow routing. The scheme benefited greatly from this collaborative way of working between JBA Consulting and SMBC, making it easy to share ideas and solve problems, ensuring everything ran smoothly from start to finish.
Following the surveys, each property owner received a bespoke PFR report detailing the flood history, level of flood risk and a range of options identified for a package of PFR measures which were to be funded by SMBC. The scheme was primarily focussed on the provision of resistance measures but options for resilient adaptation (such as raised electrics, waterproof plaster, raising boilers and replacing carpet for more resilient flooring) were also identified, should the homeowner wish to fund these themselves.
By the winter of 2021, PFR measures for each property had been agreed, designed and installed by SMBC’s chosen installer, Watertight International. Once the installation contractor had confirmed completion and signed-off their works as fit for purpose, JBA undertook a final post-installation inspection and audit survey. Following this a Post Installation Flood Risk Report to the agreed framework template was provided for each homeowner. The Post Installation Flood Risk Report could then be shared with their insurers, confirming the works undertaken to reduce flood risk and future damage, as well as helping to attain ongoing affordable flood insurance.
Our survey teams were led by experienced chartered flood risk professionals with extensive experience of PFR scheme management and delivery. During the surveys, detailed discussions were held with each resident to raise awareness of PFR, the benefits and to explain the scheme background and the aim to increase resilience to future flood risk. Surveyors took time to research and understand the flood history for each property, the source and flow pathways and to consider the resilience options most suitable for the residents and the property. In addition to the practical details of the surveys, our surveyors were able to provide reassurance and comfort to residents, especially those living alone, that action was being taken and that the proposed measures would help reduce the impacts and damage from future floods, providing residents with increased resilience, peace of mind and a prospect of affordable flood insurance. In Phase 1 we surveyed 126 of the 180 properties invited (70% take-up) and in Phase 2 we successfully surveyed 203 of the 241 properties invited (84% take-up).
Detailed property specific PFR survey reports were produced as part of Phase 1 and 2. To ensure quality, each report was reviewed and approved by both the Project Manager and experienced Project Director. The PFR survey reports were also accompanied by an indicative pricing schedule, providing budget estimates to enable SMBC to plan and inform their installation contract. This allowed SMBC to be able to request quotes for installation with an idea of outline costs already in mind. In Phase 1 a total of 124 properties (98%) progressed to the installation stage. JBA Consulting worked closely with SMBC and the appointed contractor to ensure that all products were fitted correctly, the owners were happy with the work, how to deploy and maintain their measures. In Phase 2 the installation contractor is now working on the scheme and preparing to commence installation works. This project, entitled ‘Mainstreaming Property Flood Resilience in Solihull’ received a Highly Commended award under the Climate Resilience Places category of the 2023 Flood & Coast Excellence Awards.
Over 125 homes in Solihull now benefit from enhanced resilience and are better protected from surface water flooding as a result of these PFR schemes. Going forward, we continue to support SMBC with their PFR programme, having been appointed to deliver a further 200 independent PFR surveys in the areas of Knowle and Dorridge. In addition to this, we are working closely with SMBC to further assess the rainfall alert and flood warning system which can be used to warn residents and trigger deployment of PFR measures in the various communities across the Borough.
The use of PFR products, supported by effective surface water flood warnings and the development of personal and community emergency flood plans, will give residents in Solihull added peace of mind and greatly improved protection, to help manage and reduce the impacts from future surface water flooding.
This scheme was challenging due to the source of flood risk being surface water flooding, which often appears with little warning or preparation time. Hence why SMBC requested recommendations to particularly focus on passive PFR measures rather than manual measures.
Drawing on knowledge from previous schemes we recognised the importance of identifying the flow paths of floodwater as the client required a focus specifically on recommendations made for the section of the property that had been impacted by floodwater previously. As surface water flow paths can vary greatly between properties, we worked closely with residents and SMBC in the decision-making process from an early stage, working collaboratively with the installation contractor to ensure that the most appropriate recommendations for each property were being identified. Residents also appreciated the advice on emergency plans and maintenance requirements so they remain prepared for future flood events with little notice.
“I am delighted with the work completed to date by both JBA and Watertight. They have delivered a significant number of PFR measures for our residents in a swift and collaborative manner with residents also remarking how impressed they have been with the process. Of particular note, one resident expressed her thanks for the ongoing dialogue she has with the teams and the demonstrations post installation that “give me [sic] confidence to sleep at night.”
Dean Ward – SMBC
Being prepared for potential flooding is an important element of being flood resilient as it leads to approaches to use PFR measures. It’s about understanding your flood risk, now and for the future.
