The Environment Agency is set to embark on a crucial project to replace the flood gate known as the Canklow Regulator on the River Rother, which flows into the River Don in Rotherham town centre. This project is part of a broader initiative to enhance flood resilience for communities along the River Don between Rotherham and Doncaster.
The existing flood gate at Canklow will be removed and replaced with a new, more resilient structure, starting in April 2025. The work is expected to take approximately five to six months to complete. Once operational, the new gate will play a vital role in managing water flows and reducing the long-term risk of flooding for homes and businesses downstream.
The Environment Agency operates three regulators on the River Rother to help mitigate flood risk: the Meadowgate Regulator, the Woodhouse Mill Regulator, and the Canklow Regulator. These regulators are used to hold back and store water in flood storage areas on the River Rother during flood events. This ‘slows the flow’ and reduces the risk of flooding to properties downstream on the River Don between Rotherham and Doncaster.
The works at Canklow are part of the Environment Agency’s ongoing commitment to maintaining and improving flood defences in South Yorkshire. Last year, the Woodhouse Mill Regulator suffered an operational failure, resulting in water accumulating in the washland. However, measures have been taken to lift the gate, allowing water to continually flow at this site.
The replacement of the gate at Canklow aims to ensure that there will be two regulators in operation ahead of next winter. However, the temporary loss of both the Woodhouse Mill and Canklow Regulators may result in a small temporary increase in flood risk to downstream communities.
To mitigate this risk, the Environment Agency is taking several precautions, including:
– Scheduling the works during the drier months of the year (April to September), when the likelihood of extreme weather events is lower.
– Operating the newly installed Meadowgate Regulator to help manage water flows.
– Opening the Canklow flood storage area compartments to maximise available storage capacity.
– Keeping local communities and stakeholders informed through regular updates and flood warnings.
Kimberley MacPherson, Environment Agency Operations Manager, emphasized the importance of these works, stating, “We know the devastating impact that flooding can have, so the decision to proceed with these works has been carefully considered. We will be taking as many precautions as possible to mitigate any temporary increase in flood risk.”
The Environment Agency urges people to check if they’re at risk of flooding and to make sure they know what to do if it floods. With around 6.3 million properties at risk of flooding in England, it’s essential for communities to be prepared and informed.
