Purpose

Conisbrough is a town within the City of
Doncaster, with a history dating back through the middle ages.
There are two major flood sources, which affect Conisbrough, the
River Don that marks the north extent of the settlement and
Kearsley Brook that flows through the centre. Both the River Don
and Kearsley Brook area identified as being Main River (managed by
the Environment Agency). No formal flood defences have been
identified for either Kearsley Brook or the River Don at this
location other than the flood storage areas that are present on
both sides of the River Dons banks.
Duftons Close is flooded directly from the River Don as documented
in Doncaster Councils Section 19 report as part of the Flood and
Water Management Act 2010, following the 2019 flooding event. As
water levels increase within the River Don, this would also
influence Kearsley due to limited downstream conveyance until the
River Don levels reduced and drainage conveyance returned.
Kearsley Brook rises in the hills 3km south of Conisbrough near to
Micklebring and Clifton where the land is elevated to around
100mAOD. The brook meanders through agricultural land before
reaching the small industrial estate at Sheffield Road,
Conisbrough, where the brook first passes through a circular
culvert and then an arch culvert under the road. The brook then
passes through
several culvert and bridge structures end route to its discharge
into the Don adjacent to Duftons Close.
During the 2019 flood event, sandbags where used to prevent water
from entering Duftons Close from the main entrance of the estate
and along the adjoining embankment walls of Kearsley Brook. This
proved to have limited effectiveness and highlighted the need to
have a robust, permanent solution. A similar method was followed
during the January 2021 floods, though water still backed up at the
entrance to Duftons Close, due to restricted conveyance downstream
due to the River Dons water levels being high.
In light of the flooding in 2019, 2021 and 2022, Doncaster Council
have concluded that a long-term and more cost-effective solution is
required to reduce the risk of flooding at this location. This
should be a method that eliminates the requirement for emergency
sandbag deployment, over pumping, manual handling and residential
evacuation.

Content

To approve the acceptance of Environment
Agency funding to procure a consultant to identify possible flood
risk improvement interventions at Duftons Close.
To approve the procurement of consultancy services, in accordance
with procurement regulations, to undertake the study.