Flood protection work and investigations are progressing across Nottinghamshire after three major storms caused internal flooding to more than 1,700 homes and businesses.
A Nottinghamshire County Council report sets out schemes under construction, planned improvements and studies into possible solutions, including work in Cropwell Butler, Radcliffe on Trent, East Leake, Lowdham and Southwell.
Around 85,000 properties across the county are estimated to be at risk of flooding. The council is also developing a ten-year flood risk management plan, with priorities covering the next two years, years three to six and years seven to ten.
The update, prepared for the cabinet member for transport and environment and dated 28 September 2026, asks the member to note progress. It does not seek approval to build every scheme discussed, and several potential projects remain dependent on feasibility work, detailed design or funding.
Storm Babet in October 2023, Storm Henk in January 2024 and further flooding in January 2025 prompted 60 formal flood investigation reports. Storm Babet alone caused internal flooding to 1,259 properties and businesses across 92 Nottinghamshire communities.
The council says some properties have flooded repeatedly, leaving residents facing continuing financial, practical and emotional consequences. Its flood risk management team is working with public health colleagues to examine the wider effects on mental wellbeing and quality of life.
In Rushcliffe, a £148,000 natural flood management project is under way in Cropwell Butler. Its first phase focused on more than 50 interventions, including timber barriers that slow water flows and changes to channels to increase their storage capacity.
A second phase is scheduled for autumn 2026, focusing on the watercourse flowing towards the Back Lane culvert. Proposed measures include wetlands, storage ponds, timber barriers and earth embankments. Further opportunities are being explored on agricultural land west of the A46.
In Radcliffe on Trent, the council is pursuing maintenance improvements and working with watercourse owners to help existing surface water systems operate effectively. A study into natural flood management upstream of Clumber Drive is due to be completed in March 2027.
A separate study of the upper Sheepwash Brook catchment in East Leake is also due in March 2027. Flood resilience measures have already been installed at properties affected by the January 2025 flooding, and the council is seeking contributions from Severn Trent Water towards further installations where homes face both sewer and surface water flood risks.
In West Bridgford, investigations following severe surface water flooding in 2019 have involved the county council, Via East Midlands, Rushcliffe Borough Council and Severn Trent Water. The report says modelling found the flood risk was lower than initially anticipated, indicating greater resilience in the drainage network. It does not identify a new construction scheme or delivery date for the town.
Elsewhere in Rushcliffe, the council and Severn Trent Water are investigating short- and long-term solutions to localised flooding and watercourse pollution in Willoughby on the Wolds. Completed work includes natural flood management measures in Costock and Gotham, alongside drainage improvements and protection for individual properties in Tollerton.
One of the largest projects in the report is the Environment Agency’s £38 million flood alleviation reservoir at Lowdham. Construction is under way, with completion programmed for 2027/28.
At Southwell, plans for Potwell Dyke are being reconsidered following advice from Historic England. An earth embankment had been explored, but detailed work showed it would require substantial excavation in a sensitive historic landscape near a Scheduled Ancient Monument and Roman remains.
The report says a revised approach is being developed to keep the dyke working effectively and support flood resilience. This follows funding secured in 2018 for the wider Southwell flood alleviation project, which has included highway drainage improvements and measures such as flood doors, barriers and airbrick covers.
In Arnold, a feasibility study is examining potential improvements at Coppice Road, Killisick Park, Bestwood Lodge Drive and Front Street, including Church Street. Options include expanding water storage, opening up a culverted watercourse and introducing planted areas designed to capture surface water. A future funding bid would depend on the options proving economically viable.
Other projects include a scheme intended to reduce flood risk to 30 properties in Bilsthorpe, expected to start in 2027/28, and a proposed natural flood management scheme for 39 properties in Caunton. The Caunton project is also programmed for 2027/28 but depends on a successful funding bid.
The report records an approved £1.445 million capital allocation for flood alleviation and drainage works in 2026/27, alongside £1.028 million for Southwell flood projects. The flood risk management revenue budget is £445,000.
These annual allocations sit alongside contributions from other organisations and funding for projects delivered over several years. The council says its partnership work has helped secure more than £149 million in external investment since 2010.
For residents, the measures range from changes to drainage systems and watercourses to equipment fitted directly to homes. Natural flood management aims to hold water upstream and slow its movement towards communities, while property flood resilience measures reduce the risk and consequences of water entering buildings.
More than 400 properties have received bespoke flood resilience installations since the programme was established following flooding in November 2019 and February 2020.
A further £50,000 project will develop a network of water-level sensors capable of sending local flood alerts by text message or email. Locations and warning thresholds will be developed with communities and the Environment Agency, particularly where existing warnings are not sufficiently specific to smaller watercourses.
The county council has been the lead local flood authority since 2010, coordinating work on surface water, groundwater and smaller watercourses. The Environment Agency manages flood risk from main rivers, including the Trent.
The report says existing schemes generally sit within approved budgets, with any additional funding subject to the usual approval processes. It also acknowledges that local government reorganisation could affect future governance and the prioritisation of resources.
Locations with planned work or further investigations
The following locations are identified in the supplied report.
Construction is not confirmed at every location.
Arnold and the upper Day Brook catchment: Feasibility work covering Coppice Road storage area, Killisick Park, Bestwood Lodge Drive, and Front Street including Church Street. The study was expected in autumn 2026.
Bilsthorpe: Detailed design for flood reduction and natural flood management measures benefiting 30 properties, with work expected to start in 2027/28.
Caunton: Proposed natural flood management measures benefiting 39 properties. Approximately £290,000 of work is planned for 2027/28, subject to a successful funding bid.
Clarborough: A feasibility appraisal has been completed. Further funding bids depend on identifying economically viable measures.
Colwick Quays: A £35,000 feasibility study into an automatic pumping solution was expected to finish by the end of September 2026. The report does not confirm its outcome.
Cossall: A culvert CCTV survey was scheduled for early autumn to inform potential improvements following flooding around Awsworth Lane and Church Lane.
Cropwell Butler: Second-phase natural flood management work towards the Back Lane culvert is scheduled for autumn 2026. Further opportunities are being explored west of the A46.
East Leake: Further property flood resilience contributions are being sought. A natural flood management study of the upper Sheepwash Brook catchment is due in March 2027.
Eastwood: An economic appraisal is being commissioned to assess options identified by a feasibility study and support a business case for detailed design.
Egmanton: Further feasibility work is being planned to assess possible improvements elsewhere in the catchment following the scheme completed in 2017.
Girton: Continuing work on community resilience and remote monitoring, alongside support for the Environment Agency’s efforts to identify an economically viable flood reduction scheme.
Hucknall: A study into flooding downstream of Dob Park reservoir is due later in 2026, with findings to be published once finalised.
Kirklington: Natural flood management construction is split into phases scheduled to begin in August 2026 and August 2027, including earth embankments, river restoration, timber barriers and ponds.
Lowdham: Construction of the £38 million flood alleviation reservoir is under way, with completion programmed for 2027/28.
Newark, Farndon Road: Bespoke flood resilience measures for ten repeatedly flooded properties are programmed for completion by the end of October 2026.
Oxton: A hydraulic study has been commissioned to identify further options following completed property protection and natural flood management work.
Radcliffe on Trent: Maintenance improvements are being pursued, with a study of natural flood management upstream of Clumber Drive due in March 2027.
Retford: The Environment Agency is progressing surveys and design for replacement culverts on Grove and Blackstope Lane. Further investigations cover the River Idle and Carr Dyke, including possible upstream measures and restrictions at the railway embankment.
Southwell, Potwell Dyke: A revised approach is being developed following heritage concerns about the original earth embankment proposal.
Sutton on Trent: The Internal Drainage Board is examining funding for its preferred option, with £50,000 allocated by the county council towards viable proposals. A natural flood management study is due in March 2027.
Thurgarton: The Internal Drainage Board is pursuing funding options and detailed design, with a £65,000 county council contribution available towards viable proposals.
Willoughby on the Wolds: Joint investigations with Severn Trent Water into localised flooding and watercourse pollution, alongside clearance of silt and debris.
Worksop and the River Ryton catchment: Continuing property flood resilience installations, review of a surface water study and further natural flood management work. Design and public engagement are progressing at Farr Park, with additional measures being developed with private landowners.
West Bridgford: Continued work to identify opportunities to reduce risk, but no specific new construction scheme or timetable is set out.
