‘Deliberate’ blocking of drain contributed to Doncaster flooding, investigation finds
Several homes were unexpectedly flooded at the start of the year
Unexpected flooding in Doncaster earlier this year was caused by a combination of factors, including an unauthorised, man-made dam, a City of Doncaster Council investigation has found.
The investigation follows surface level flooding on January 6, 2025, in the Haggs Wood area of Stainforth, Doncaster – affecting four properties.
According to a council report following the investigation, it is considered the flooding was “caused by a combination of intense meteorological conditions, infrastructure limitations, and human intervention”.
The flooding followed a period of “intense heavy rainfall” with surface water reaching 20 inches in depth at the entrance of one of the affected properties.
The incident required a “multi-agency response” led by South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue (SYFR), who deployed personnel and pumping equipment in an effort to curb the rising water levels. The report states SYFR also assisted with the evacuation of some residents affected by the flooding.
In a statement to media following the flooding, the City of Doncaster Council said it was believed the incident was not down to river flooding, rather the deliberate damming of a culvert drain.
The investigation report states that, following the flooding, a local resident admitted “to placing soil to block a drain” at the entrance of a culvert close to nearby railway lines to the Doncaster East Internal Drainage Board (DEIDB).
“This action appears to have been taken in an attempt to manage surface water retention. However, when the resident later attempted to release the water in a controlled fashion, the force of the flow breached the remaining soil dam, leading to a sudden and unregulated surge of water into the drainage system downstream,” the report states.
The investigation also found issues with the drainage infrastructure, which contributed to the flooding.
At a second culvert downstream from the one deliberately dammed, inspectors found dense and decaying vegetation was acting as an obstruction, reducing the efficiency of the waterway.
The investigation made a number of recommendations including that DEIDB undertake a “comprehensive condition survey” of the local drainage network. It also said the organisation should “review” and “enhance” its routine maintenance schedule in the area for removing debris, vegetation and silt from the culverts.
Doncaster Council was recommended to “consider commissioning a strategic drainage review or study for the Haggs Wood catchment”, subject to “prioritisation and the availability of funding”.
Earlier this month, the investigation findings were accepted by Doncaster Council’s executive director of place, Dan Swaine.
The decision report stated the council would, as a result, “work with relevant partners to implement the recommended outcomes and actions identified in the report”.