The River Mole spans nearly 50 miles in length, reaching across South-East England from Hampton Court in Surrey to Pease Pottage in West Sussex. A tributary of the River Thames, the Mole is prone to flooding and 3000 homes were affected by the largest flood on record in 1968, which triggered the requirement for the Flood Alleviation Scheme.
Further floods in 2014 proved the scheme was effective, as Molesey stayed clear of flooding, despite neighbouring towns feeling the full force of rising river levels.
Since then, the Environment Agency has noticed increasing signs of ageing to the flood protection structures. In particular, the six main sluice gates are considered vulnerable; this type of hard engineering controls the water levels, minimising flooding in the area. With bank protections compromised and gates deteriorating, along with the expensive cost to repair these defences, the EA has been forced to take action. Both the Environment Agency and local residents are looking for a sustainable solution to the issue, that will allow future generations to be protected from flooding in the Molesey area.
In order to combat these declining defences, six different plans of actions have been proposed by the authorities to reduce the risk and lower the water level, in an economically and environmentally efficient way.
Options include doing nothing, doing minimal, replacing the gates, using crest wire, removing the smaller gates on the river (whilst replacing the sluice gates) and passive flood relief channel with rock ramps. Carefully thought-out plans have been considered by officials to cover all types of impact, whether that be economically, socially or environmentally.
Nevertheless, despite their best efforts, concerns have been raised by the local community about the long-lasting effects of these options. The River Mole plays host to hundreds of species of birds, notably a family of resident kingfishers, grey wag tails and the occasional kestrel. The river is the perfect quiet spot for birdwatchers and locals alike, however this tranquillity is potentially under threat.
The scheme intends to lower the water levels and so there are fears that the river could completely dry up in hotter summers and be merely a stream in the winter. If the sluice gates are removed, the river could drop by over 1m.
One local resident stated that they ‘understand the need to be protected from flooding, but the River Mole has been a lifeline for families looking for somewhere to escape to, during lockdown.'
The consultation has been extended to April 1st, and up to that date, you can read more about the situation on this website: https://www.lowermolefloodalleviationscheme.co.uk/
