Third Flood Summit builds on progress
Friday, 30 May 2025
Central Bedfordshire Council has convened a third multi-agency Flood Summit to review progress, share outcomes, and continue collaborative action to address local flood risk.
The third summit, which brought together the Environment Agency, Anglian Water, the Bedford Group of Internal Drainage Boards (IDB), National Highways and the Council, took place in May and considered last year’s exceptional rainfall.
Councillor Adam Zerny, Leader of Central Bedfordshire Council, welcomed the commitment shown by partners across the region:
We have made tangible progress across Central Bedfordshire over the last year. From engineering works and maintenance to community engagement and strategic assessments, we’re working together to look at how we can continue to reduce the risk of flooding.
Alongside many specific investigations and improvements, the Environment Agency is also progressing the Great Ouse Strategic Intervention Study, a major assessment of how the wider Great Ouse catchment can be managed in light of climate change and growth. The outputs will be used to inform future long term planning for investment in flood risk management and development of schemes across Central Bedfordshire.
Councillor Zerny concluded:
Last year, over 30 different areas in Central Bedfordshire were affected by flooding. This third summit has shown what partnership working can deliver. With climate pressures growing, we and our partners are committed to maintaining momentum and empowering communities to improve flood resilience.
Key outcomes and updates by area
Leighton Buzzard and Hockliffe
The Environment Agency is using the feedback from community drop-in events into its Initial Assessment. This includes evidence of under-reported flood impacts at specific locations. Strategic options are being re-evaluated, and the Environment Agency aims to share a draft with partners by summer. The Internal Drainage Board is also leading work upstream, in Hockliffe, to explore opportunities for natural flood management that will help slow run off from this area into the Clipstone Brook, working closely with the Environment Agency and Central Bedfordshire Council.
Works by the Council are completed at Astral Park, supported by Anglian Water partnership funding. This addresses historic flood risk by improving conveyance and capacity of the ditch network.
Ongoing maintenance of the River Ouzel and Clipstone Brook are progressing with the Environment Agency, Internal Drainage Board and Anglian Water.
Marston Moretaine / Lower Shelton
Central Bedfordshire Council has carried out drainage inspection on Lower Shelton Road. There are further works planned to restore some of the pipework here and an action for a utility company to make good the damage to the highway pipe. Jetting was completed on the highway pipe up to the outfall into the ditch, and the Council has worked to arrange clearance of the receiving downstream ditch.
At Bedford Road, the Internal Drainage Board cleared watercourses and has increased the future regime for inspection. The Internal Drainage Board is also working with Anglian Water to explore opportunities to enhance the capacity of their piped network here.
Maulden
Central Bedfordshire Council and the Internal Drainage Board have carried out works in multiple areas to improve flow in the ditches along the A507. This includes works to reduce flood risk to Hedley Way and the surrounding area. Further works are planned to jet and cleanse adjacent parts of the network.
Tempsford
A local Multi-Agency Group, established by Anglian Water after winter 2023/24 flooding, has resulted in an over-pumping facility to manage groundwater and rainfall surges. No flooding or tanker deployment has been recorded since November. Anglian Water also completed CCTV surveys to assess infiltration risks, including the pumping station on the A1, with no defects or flow restrictions identified.
Shefford
The Environment Agency has removed obstructions in the river near Heronslee, where the River Hit meets the River Flit, and Central Bedfordshire Council has restored culvert flow through Percel Way and improved a public footpath route under A507, which was prone to flooding.
The Environment Agency is also incorporating new resident-provided data from community drop-in events into its Initial Assessment. A formal flood risk assessment is in development.
Sandy
The Environment Agency has carried out temporary repairs on the River Ivel embankment, with a permanent solution being planned. Investigations at Bedford Road have prompted National Highways to review the drainage infrastructure.
Biggleswade
Central Bedfordshire Council has installed attenuation tanks under the road at Mulberry Close to help stop the highway drainage filling up so quickly and flooding.
Flitwick
A highways drainage improvement scheme has been completed at Hornes End Road by Central Bedfordshire Council with support from Anglian Water partnership funding. The system was cleaned and jetted at Windmill Road where flooding was reported, improving the situation for future rainfall, and further work is planned to consider any additional future improvements here. Further works are planned for the High Street near Canterbury Road and Hinksley Road. The Internal Drainage Board has undertaken maintenance of the watercourse near Fir Tree Close to improve its conveyance, and Anglian Water has upgraded stormwater tanks to increase capacity. Network Rail continues to assess its infrastructure nearby.
Cranfield
Root intrusion and debris blockages were cleared by Anglian Water in the sewer network on High Street in February, with further investigation and works scheduled. Central Bedfordshire Council are also looking into additional gullies and pipework at specific locations.
Ampthill
New highway measures have been installed to manage flooding at Lammas Way, combined with works undertaken to improve the land drain through this area earlier in the year. Cleansing and removal of silt and obstructions was also carried out on the A507 at Flitwick Road near the 101 roundabout to improve flow. Routine maintenance is scheduled for the watercourse running through Station Road and Holland Road.
Eaton Bray
Anglian Water has completed the partial replacement of the rising main on Northall Road and removed significant sewer blockages and a broken valve, improving surface water sewer drainage performance. Additional scheduled cleaning of the foul water sewer along the High Street will also help with flows. The Internal Drainage Board has also completed maintenance work on The Comp to remove an obstruction in the culverted section.
Barton-le-Clay
Central Bedfordshire Council restored culvert flow under Old Road, reducing flood risk to nearby land. Structural remediation works are planned. Anglian Water resolved foul sewer issues on Higham Gobion Road and installed a flood monitor on Stuart Road. The next piece of work is on Hexton Road by the village hall.
Blunham
Central Bedfordshire Council completed cleansing of the main carrier pipe along the High Street to improve capacity in the network, bank works are also planned this summer on the pond adjacent to the High Street to improve its capacity for surface water.
Brogborough
Central Bedfordshire Council rebuilt the collapsed culvert headwall and road verge threatening the carriageway and utility lines.
Caddington
Culvert screens have been cleared, ditches and inlets cleaned, and pipework jetted and inspected with CCTV. Central Bedfordshire Council installed new catch pits and connecting pipework to intercept and direct surface water at Aley Green, and replaced the carrier drain to restore full capacity.
Clophill
Following repeated surface water flooding at the junction of High Street and Great Lane, Central Bedfordshire Council is installing new drainage pipework and gullies to reduce highway flooding affecting nearby properties and the adjacent school. These works are in progress. The Internal Drainage Board completed conveyance and clearance works at several locations in January 2025.
Dunstable
Anglian Water upgraded the surface water pumping station, a deep well system providing storm capacity. Joint work with Central Bedfordshire Council continues to improve drainage resilience.
Harlington
Blocked drains are being cleared, and efforts are being made to improve maintenance of privately owned and maintained drainage assets, including ditches.
Houghton Conquest
Land drain works have been completed by Central Bedfordshire Council to reduce flood risk near Rectory Lane.
Lower Stondon
Central Bedfordshire Council investigated and replaced pipework at Bedford Road.
Shillington
The Internal Drainage Board has completed maintenance on watercourses to help address flooding at Brookside, Hillfoot Road and surrounding area, and is assessing whether further interventions are needed. Central Bedfordshire Council has also carried out jetting of the highway drainage system. Where the highway network outfalls to the brook, high water levels can restrict the system’s ability to discharge. The Internal Drainage Board is proposing to improve capacity and flow through this section, as this will help reduce flood risk and improve the performance of the local drainage network.
Stotfold
Work is underway by Central Bedfordshire Council to improve back flow from the watercourse when this is in flood, which has previously contributed to flooding on the road at Brook Street and the surrounding area. Recent installation of sensors and monitoring equipment is also assisting with the management of the Brook and its structures.
Westoning
Drainage improvements have been completed at Home Farm Way, including cleansing of pipework and ditch maintenance by Central Bedfordshire Council and the Internal Drainage Board, to improve flows through the system and prevent flooding.
Woburn
Central Bedfordshire Council replaced a section of pipework on Newport Road to improve drainage.