Following significant overnight flooding, Flood Protection Solutions Ltd (FPS) helped deploy a range of specialist equipment to help protect homes in Woodborough, Nottinghamshire. Thanks to these measures, many properties were able to keep rising water at bay.
On the morning after the incident, Simon Crowther, Director and Civil Engineer at FPS, visited the affected village alongside a film crew from the BBC. Their focus was to understand which measures had been used to reduce flood impacts, including:
The crews were also interested in Flood Recoverability, an increasingly important part of building long-term resilience.
Simon Crowther pictured on BBC News with Stream SPK530 Puddle Pump
Working Toward Long-Term Solutions
During the visit, Simon met with Michael Payne MP to discuss what a longer-term flood strategy for Woodborough could look like. Together, they explored potential schemes and the steps needed to improve protection for residents.
Michael later shared on his public page:
*”Earlier today I spoke to BBC Midlands Today from Woodborough village. I joined Peter and Amanda from the excellent Woodborough Flood Action Group, as well as flooding expert, Simon Crowther. The full piece with all interviews was carried on this evening’s BBC East Midlands Today News, which can be viewed on the 6 January 2025 episode.
I’ll continue banging the drum for Woodborough, Lambley, Burton Joyce, Stoke Bardolph, Colwick, Netherfield, Bestwood Village and all other hot spot areas across Gedling that suffer from the impacts of flooding.”
The Full Jigsaw of Flood Risk Management
FPS are long-standing advocates for a combined approach to flood risk management. No single measure is enough, effective protection comes from a jigsaw of interlocking methods, including:
• Catchment-wide engineered schemes, like the one currently being installed in nearby Lowdham
• Natural Flood Management (NFM)
• Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS)
• Property Flood Resilience (PFR) for residual risk
While PFR is often associated with simple doorway barriers, more engineered options such as flood walls with barrier openings are increasingly popular and highly effective when designed correctly.
Our Ongoing Commitment
FPS remain committed to making high-quality flood mitigation measures accessible. That includes:
- Providing easy quoting for flood barriers
- Offering clear, practical installation videos
- Pioneering e-learning flood resilience courses over a decade ago
- Supplying a range of water pumps, including one of our own puddle pumps being Amazon’s best-selling puddle pump, available via Prime for rapid delivery
For more technical flood risk studies and engineering advice, our sister company FPS Environmental Ltd continues to support organisations as a dedicated engineering consultancy.
Working Together for a Resilient Future
FPS are proud to continue working with Michael Payne MP in a voluntary and advocacy capacity as we help shape a long-term flood resilience strategy for Woodborough and the surrounding communities.
Simon Crowther photographed with Gedling MP Michael Payne.