Agenda item

Report of the Superintendent of Epping Forest.

The Environment Agency would commence public consultation in September 2016 on proposals contained within its June 2015 Update to the River Roding Flood Risk

Management Strategy, which was originally published in 2012. Members noted that firstly, the Environment Agency had indicated that it intended to withdraw

maintenance support for the flood embankments which it constructed along the

banks of the River Roding, most recently in the 1980s. The responsibility was intended to be transferred to riparian landowners including the City of London. It was expected that the City will be held to be responsible for 1.9 km of the river’s western embankments adjacent to Wanstead Park and the contiguous Exchange Land.

Secondly, the public consultation would also seek public support for the construction of a proposed £5.2 Million Flood Alleviation Scheme at Shonks Mill, Chipping Ongar, designed to protect 900 properties in Loughton, Woodford, South Woodford and Wanstead. The scheme had been awarded Flood Defence Grant-in-Aid of £2.4

Million with Local Authorities and Riparian landowners expected to provide the

balance of £2.8 Million. The Environment Agency has assessed the City of London’s

outline contribution at up to £500,000.

Resolved – that the report be received.