Community scheme - Rumer Hill
FAIR is empowering communities across Staffordshire and the Black Country with the skills, knowledge, and resources to improve their flood resilience. This focuses on innovative and collaborative approaches to sustainability reduce community flood risks.
Rumer Hill is a busy area of Cannock that regularly experiences localised surface water flooding during heavy rainfall. The area is home to a well-used railway station, a popular designer shopping outlet, and a mix of long-established local businesses and residential homes. However, surface water flooding has notably impacted both residents and the wider community, affecting access, travel and confidence in using local routes during periods of heavy rain. The Riding Brook also flows north to south through the area, which may exacerbate surface water risks when river levels are high.
Previous highway improvements, including the introduction of a new cycle path, have been undertaken to support increased use of the area. However, highway junctions connecting to the main Lichfield Road, particularly Girton Road and Devon Road, have continued to experience repeated surface water flooding. This has caused continuous difficulties for residents, businesses and commuters from ongoing disruption to the roads and footpaths.
Early engagement with partners, including Staffordshire County Council’s Highway Authority, the Environment Agency and Severn Trent Water, helped build an initial picture of flood risks in the area. Shared experiences from local residents played a significant role in highlighting key flood problems for the community, especially water pooling at the two junctions on Lichfield Road. This local knowledge helped investigations progress more efficiently and focus efforts where they were needed most.
FAIR continued to work closely with residents and partner organisations throughout the investigation, with open and honest communication ensuring local issues shaped any proposed alleviation measures. This included concerns raised about flooding affecting properties and property access, as well as flooding to nearby footpaths and roads making it difficult for residents to travel around the area safely during heavy rain.
In response, FAIR investigated wider surface water risks across Rumer Hill, working in partnership with the Highways Authority to map and assess the performance of the local drainage system and identify further opportunities to reduce flood risks. This co-designed approach brought together local experience and technical expertise.
Ongoing conversations and improved information shared also helped residents to gain a better understanding of how local drainage systems work, the roles and responsibilities of different authorities, and the causes of surface water flooding in the local area. This was supported by a lead resident who made sure residents were kept informed and up to date on FAIR’s progress within the area.
The final co-designed scheme incorporated practical flood-resilience measures for properties at risk as well as wider drainage improvements across the community. The scheme included:
- A bespoke flood gate on a multiple occupancy building to help protect properties. This required amendments to the access of the building.
- Deflection fencing to divert flood water away from properties.
- Non-return air bricks to reduce water ingress into properties.
- Highway drainage improvements that included new connections within the drainage system. These upgrades increase drainage capacity and allow surface water to drain away more efficiently during heavy rainfall.
Information about the completed works has been shared in the local area and through local media. These efforts aim to rebuild confidence and encourage people back to the area to support local businesses that were previously affected by frequent flooding.
Since the works have been completed, residents have shared positive feedback and reported that the drainage improvements and new connections have reduced surface water flooding. Roads and pedestrian routes have remained clearer during recent heavy rainfall, and local businesses have noted improved confidence from customers visiting during heavy rainfall.
Further drainage issues were identified during works on Devon Road. While a temporary drainage route has been created to reduce flooding in the short term, additional improvements are needed. Future works will continue to improve drainage performance in Rumer Hill, with the aim of strengthening long term flood resilience.
By working together, the local community, Staffordshire County Council and partner organisations have developed a stronger shared understanding of flood risk in Rumer Hill. This collaborative approach has helped build trust, reduce flood impacts, and support a shared commitment to building resilience in the community.
