WTC Stakesby Vale Allotments
Wednesday 22nd May 2024
12.00hrs
12.00hrs
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Tuesday 2nd June 2026
Tuesday 2nd June 2026
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Friday 26th June 2026
[at the bottom of this page]
Friday 26th June 2026
[at the bottom of this page]
Hopefully these videos/photographs prove to 'one and all' [Yorkshire Water & Highways] there is a serious problem with the drainage from Stakesby School playing fields, Auckland Way and the two cul-de-sacs off Kirkham Road, and nothing to do with the allotment holders.
It was good fortune that I arrived at exactly the same time as two representatives from Highways, following-up from my email that very morning requesting sandbags, and the weather warning for constant rainfall, thinking the allotments would flood again!! How right I was!!
And this was not a particularly heavy shower at 12.02hrs but within minutes it was clear to Highways there was a serious problem which had to be seen to be believed.
Many thanks
Peter
PS The allotments were last flooded 3rd/4th May 2024 [there was a far worse flood a number of years ago]*.
Other dates of flooding from Kirkham Road - 5th Aug '23, 7th Sept '23, 3rd Oct '23, 2nd Nov '23.
*I am now in receipt of the photographs from a neighbouring house Mrs Donna Jackson, [received 11th March 2025]. Local contractor, Nobles, were brought in to do the 'clean-up'.
It was good fortune that I arrived at exactly the same time as two representatives from Highways, following-up from my email that very morning requesting sandbags, and the weather warning for constant rainfall, thinking the allotments would flood again!! How right I was!!
And this was not a particularly heavy shower at 12.02hrs but within minutes it was clear to Highways there was a serious problem which had to be seen to be believed.
Many thanks
Peter
PS The allotments were last flooded 3rd/4th May 2024 [there was a far worse flood a number of years ago]*.
Other dates of flooding from Kirkham Road - 5th Aug '23, 7th Sept '23, 3rd Oct '23, 2nd Nov '23.
*I am now in receipt of the photographs from a neighbouring house Mrs Donna Jackson, [received 11th March 2025]. Local contractor, Nobles, were brought in to do the 'clean-up'.
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Photo credits to Mrs Donna Jackson.
Still a resident of Stakesby Vale Many Thanks |
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There are four gulleys - marked with an X
Two of which are at the Lowest point on Kirkham Road
Two more are North of Pinewood Close.
Between the four gulley grates, is the triangular sewer grate ▲, which back flushes and pops out of its frame when the road is in flood.
Two of which are at the Lowest point on Kirkham Road
Two more are North of Pinewood Close.
Between the four gulley grates, is the triangular sewer grate ▲, which back flushes and pops out of its frame when the road is in flood.
There is a gate, and footpath between Plots 19 & 20 from the Highway.
Surface water floods Kirkham Road from Plot 19 to Plot 23.
The flood water enter the allotment site along that line.
Thereafter the water gathers at a point between Plots 20, 21, 9 & 11 O
It then runs between Plots 9 & 11, following onto Plots 10, 12a & 12b O finally onto Stakesby Vale and into the houses O.
Surface water floods Kirkham Road from Plot 19 to Plot 23.
The flood water enter the allotment site along that line.
Thereafter the water gathers at a point between Plots 20, 21, 9 & 11 O
It then runs between Plots 9 & 11, following onto Plots 10, 12a & 12b O finally onto Stakesby Vale and into the houses O.
Earlier in the morning 22nd May 2024, photos courtesy of Rob Townsend
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This triangular sewer grate is stuck up, dangerous if it had actually dislodge completely. I did ask, "At what point do Highways consider replacing this with a bolt-down lid?" |
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Wednesday 22nd May 2024
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Kirkham Road, Whitby In attendance two representatives Highways & myself, Peter Horbury time 12.02 hrs |
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Time 12.06hrs
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Observation & question.
With water back flushing the sewer [triangular grate in the middle of the road] & the two road drains [on the Auckland Way side] why was the same not happening in the flooded section of the road [at its lowest point]?
There was no vortexing of water either way, infact it took nearly an hour for the water to clear from the carriage way.
With water back flushing the sewer [triangular grate in the middle of the road] & the two road drains [on the Auckland Way side] why was the same not happening in the flooded section of the road [at its lowest point]?
There was no vortexing of water either way, infact it took nearly an hour for the water to clear from the carriage way.
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Time 12.15hrs
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Time 12.16hrs
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Auckland Way
Behind Stakesby school playing fields, all down hill to Kirkham Road, which leads to the Stakesby Vale allotments. Video taken approx 1hr after initial flood of allotments. Time 13.42hrs |
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Please note the 'High Tide' mark on the garden gate.
The owner spoke to us all later, reporting he will be making a claim for a flooded basement. |
Flooding also happened on 3rd/4th May 2024
Monday 2nd Sept 2024
Heavy rainfall at 05.00hrs.
Photos taken at 13.30hrs.
The repaired footpath has again been washed out as Kirkham Road's surface water floods into the allotments.
Photos taken at 13.30hrs.
The repaired footpath has again been washed out as Kirkham Road's surface water floods into the allotments.
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Sunday 8th September 2024
13.00hrs
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Above - flooded plot
Left - road flooded and entering allotment at top gate. Right - triangular sewer grate back flushing |
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Progress report:-
Drawn a blank in respect of responsibility with Highways, and as directed by RM [Highways] to contact Yorkshire Water.
Drawn a blank in respect of responsibility with Highways, and as directed by RM [Highways] to contact Yorkshire Water.
Yorkshire Water:
26th March 2025 - WS [Customer Care] by phone acknowledged video evidence, and logged my complaint.
4th April 2025 - WS by phone.
8th April 2025 - WS by phone to inform me DW [Engineer] would make contact.
8th April 2025 - DW by phone informing me he would visit site, having watched the videos, as he familiarised hinself with site.
Week 22 he would return with a Team to carry out a survey [vehicle with water & camera].
Mon 21st April 2025 [week 22] - Site visit by DW, I showed him around as we waited for the Team to arrive.
Unfortuneately they were diverted to a sewage spill at a beach.
DW, whilst waiting, had noted two gulleys which had had cement poured down them!
Next visit Wed 23rd April 2025
26th March 2025 - WS [Customer Care] by phone acknowledged video evidence, and logged my complaint.
4th April 2025 - WS by phone.
8th April 2025 - WS by phone to inform me DW [Engineer] would make contact.
8th April 2025 - DW by phone informing me he would visit site, having watched the videos, as he familiarised hinself with site.
Week 22 he would return with a Team to carry out a survey [vehicle with water & camera].
Mon 21st April 2025 [week 22] - Site visit by DW, I showed him around as we waited for the Team to arrive.
Unfortuneately they were diverted to a sewage spill at a beach.
DW, whilst waiting, had noted two gulleys which had had cement poured down them!
Next visit Wed 23rd April 2025
Once the survey has been done it will conclude who is responsible [everything West - up the hill from the triangular grate is Highways] downhill est towards the harbour is Yorkshire Water's.
Wed 23rd Apr 2025
236 days after first reporting the flooding issues to Area3Highways!
And only 28 days after contacting Yorkshire Water they are here to carry out an underground survey, water dye and rebotic cameras.
236 days after first reporting the flooding issues to Area3Highways!
And only 28 days after contacting Yorkshire Water they are here to carry out an underground survey, water dye and rebotic cameras.
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First survey up to the triangular grate which the flood waters was forcing up to road level.
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All clear, now to survey downhill.
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Ominous start next to No. 13, Kirkham Close, roots from the either of the three trees, 2x vaps and plastic [all removed] growing on the bottom surfaces of the manhole.
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After clearing the mat of roots, the survey starts and imediately the camera is stopped by this mass of roots growing through the ceramic pipes joint about 3 metes in.
This flail rotating tool uses the 2,500 psi water pressure to propel/pull itself into the 9" sewer and cut away the obsticle.
Piesce de la resistance the 'tap root' cut away to unblock the surface water drainage pipe.
Another 200 metres were surveyed, leading under the Cinder Track towards Bagdale beck - all clear.
Another 200 metres were surveyed, leading under the Cinder Track towards Bagdale beck - all clear.
Many thanks to DW, and his Team, Rich & Matt - service with a smile.
A follow-up survey is to be flagged to check no sewage outlets have been conected to the surface water drains.
Follow up phone call from YWater Customer Care WS to confirm works carried out 23/04/2025, and the case is now closed.
Thank you from Stakesby Vale allotment holders.
Thank you from Stakesby Vale allotment holders.
And the saga continues...............
Tuesday 2nd June 2026
Tuesday 2nd June 2026
16.55hrs sat at home I received two short videos from Mrs Donna Jackson of water pouring out of Stakesby Vale allotments #Again!
Admittedly not as much as 22nd May 2024, but there again the surface water sewer has now been cleared and yet the allotments continue to flood out onto Stakesby Vale Road!
Admittedly not as much as 22nd May 2024, but there again the surface water sewer has now been cleared and yet the allotments continue to flood out onto Stakesby Vale Road!
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Video credits to Mrs Donna Jackson - many thanks
On arrival at the top gate, Kirkham road it was immediately obvious there had been a serious amount of water coming from Stakesby School playing fields, Auckland Way and the two cul-de-sacs off Kirkham Road.
[after our visit [Chris & I] we spoke to Mark Swales Plot 5, who confirmed water floods off of Stakesby school playing fields into his back garden, as he lives on Kirkham Road!]
The surface water drain cover had popped its lid up onto the tarmac [a serious hazard for passing vehicles!], a regular occurance - one good kicked and it reseated itself.
[after our visit [Chris & I] we spoke to Mark Swales Plot 5, who confirmed water floods off of Stakesby school playing fields into his back garden, as he lives on Kirkham Road!]
The surface water drain cover had popped its lid up onto the tarmac [a serious hazard for passing vehicles!], a regular occurance - one good kicked and it reseated itself.
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Looking up the Kirkham Road from this point is the responsibilty of Highways, looking down the road it is the responsibility of Yorkshire water [hence why they did a full camera survey 23rd April 2025.
You can see the detritus that has been washed down and deposited on the road at its lowest point.
Mr Atch on 22nd May 2024, of Highways did say they could double kirb the road [allotmant side] but it would only make the water deeper for passing traffic - a Catch 22 situation!
Before [Yorkshire water cleared the blockage (as above), near the sycamore trees] the surface water drain took over two hours to clear
Mr Atch on 22nd May 2024, of Highways did say they could double kirb the road [allotmant side] but it would only make the water deeper for passing traffic - a Catch 22 situation!
Before [Yorkshire water cleared the blockage (as above), near the sycamore trees] the surface water drain took over two hours to clear
Plot 20 - Look at the orange net, you can see how deep the water was!
Rear of Plot 11's shed on right & water running out of Plot 20 on the left.
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Plot 11 on left & water coming out of Plot 20 on right.
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↑ - Water now reaches between Plot 9 & Plot 11 to cascade all the way down to Stakesby Vale Rd.
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Plot 11 [on right]
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Plot 11 on left & Plot 9 on right
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Plot 12 on left showing 'crush & run has been washed away.
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Plot 10B [on the left] & Plot 12 on the right.
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Their shared gate onto Stakeasby Vale Rd.
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↑ A casualty of the flood, soon scurried off!
← Water can be seen flowing into the floor of Plot 12 greenhouse.
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And the saga continues...............
Friday 26th June 2026
Friday 26th June 2026
Videos courtesy of Ben & Louise Coy, Plot 2
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I personally could not get to site [during the deluge] before 09.30hrs, gas engineer servicing boiler.
Looking-in, from Kirkham Road
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Must have been some surface water! Grass laid flat [and leaves trapped up against the fence] as it flowed over the kerb, and into the site. Apparently the triangular surface water grate had popped up onto the road again! |
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Footpath between Plot 9 & Plot 11 [on the right]
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Plot 11, water had flowed between Plot 11 & Plot 13, and also through shed, Plot 11
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Footpath between Plot 11 [on left] Plot 9 [on the right]
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Footpath between Plots 10A & 10B [on left], and Plot 12 [on right]
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Footpath "Crush & Run" [the irony], now on Stakesby Vale Road
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Back up the hill!
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Flood water came between the sheds of Plot 13 [on left] & Plot 11 [on right],
and also flooded 'through' Dave's shed on Plot 11
and also flooded 'through' Dave's shed on Plot 11
Computer says "No" - Tues 30th June 2026
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Gulley cleaning 14.42hrs Kirkham Rd, Tues 30th June 2026
We watched - Having cleaned the two gulleys on our side of the road I was curious as to the operatives findings.
Were they heavily silted-up, and the cause of the recent flooding [above]?
No, they were good [two], then I noticed the gulley, directly opposite, outside the old peoples bungalows had not been cleaned.
Are you going to clean the other? [seemed a logical question]?
No, as it's not on our list, and we get paid by 'the gulley'.
Classic 'Little Britain', computer says "No"!
So are you here because of the recent flooding of the allotments?
No, just routine maintenance.
The wagon may say Highways Agency, but we're not actually Highways.
The mind boggles!
Were they heavily silted-up, and the cause of the recent flooding [above]?
No, they were good [two], then I noticed the gulley, directly opposite, outside the old peoples bungalows had not been cleaned.
Are you going to clean the other? [seemed a logical question]?
No, as it's not on our list, and we get paid by 'the gulley'.
Classic 'Little Britain', computer says "No"!
So are you here because of the recent flooding of the allotments?
No, just routine maintenance.
The wagon may say Highways Agency, but we're not actually Highways.
The mind boggles!
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This pile of gravel [washed out of the allotment footpaths] is still on the road, I assume no-one is accepting responsibility.
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Published Wed 22nd May 2024
Last edit Tues 30th June 2026
Last edit Tues 30th June 2026