PUGNEYS WATER PARK, DURKAR
25 November 2009
Wakefield Council Drainage Section
has completed environmental flood and
watercourse improvement works within
Pugneys Country Park at a cost of about
£40,000. The works were funded by
Wakefield Council’s Flood Risk
Reduction budget.
The works followed consultation with
Pugneys Water Park managers, the Local
Highways Authority and Wakefield
Biodiversity Group members, to
complement improvements made by the
Environment Agency’s Wakefield Flood
Alleviation Scheme Phase 1.
The works were undertaken to reduce
surface water flooding of Denby Dale
Road between Pugneys and M1 Junction
39, together with residential
properties and businesses in the
vicinity of Wadhouse Lane affected by
June 2007 floods. .
The works comprise creation of
approximately 4,000m3 of seasonal flood
storage on Durkar Drain watercourse and
have been designed to accommodate a
storm similar to the June 2007 event.
Excavated material was removed from
adjacent to Durkar Drain and filled on
higher ground within the Pugneys site
above the predicted extreme flood
level. .
Drainage to Pugneys overspill car
park area was also improved by
repairing and reinstating the existing
Pugneys land drainage system. .
Works were designed and phased in
accordance with the findings of the
detailed ecology survey of Durkar Drain
and its surroundings to minimise
impact. .
The area adjacent to Durkar Drain
will be reseeded in Spring 2010 as a
wild grass and flower meadow to
encourage local wildlife and
watercourse species. .
Management of the works will remain
the responsibility of Wakefield
Council. Durkar Drain watercourse will
require annual desilting with
management of the meadow area by mowing
once or twice a year. .
