Hitchin MP Alistair Strathern and County Councillor Ian Albert have joined with local district councillors to call for action following Hertfordshire County Council's (HCC) draft Flood Investigation Report into the record flooding that took place last autumn.

In just 10 days in late September, 220% of the average monthly rainfall for Hitchin fell. The report finds this rainwater, combined with the River Purwell bursting its banks, high groundwater flow from poor surface absorption, and blockages in the Purwell and Anglian Water Sewers, were the four main causes of the worst flooding in Hitchin in decades.

The report concludes with six recommended steps to increase local flooding resilience:

1. Upgrade Warning Systems - The Environment Agency to improve the local flood warning system to ensure quicker alerts.
2. Enhanced Sewer Management - Anglian Water to continue upgrading the combined sewer system and explore leaky water butt schemes to manage surface water.
3. Hydraulic Modelling and Risk Assessments - Assess options for long-term flood risk reduction, including potential river desilting and improved drainage.
4. Community Flood Kits - Distribute flood kits to residents to increase preparedness.
5. Education and Preparedness - HCC to provide information packs to residents on how to prepare for and respond to flood events.
6. Asset Investigation - North Herts District Council will assess and restore flood management assets in Purwell Meadows.

Also detailed in the report is the steps that have been taken so far by HCC and other stakeholders. This has included the removal of blockages in the River Purwell and the setting up of a Flooding Action Group. 

Local representatives are calling for residents to provide their response to the report and help shape HCC's next steps. The deadline for submitting comments is 15th July 2025. Feedback can be sent to [email protected].

Alistair Strathern, the MP for Hitchin, said: "This report marks an important step in ensuring we learn the lessons from recent flooding in Hitchin. Working with local councillors; we've been pushing for robust action following the flooding. There has been some welcome progress, but this report highlights important next steps for local agencies to deliver on". 

"We'll be pushing to ensure this happens, and I would urge residents to share their response to the draft report to ensure the final document is as compressive and impactful as possible."

Ian Albert, Hertfordshire County Councillor for Hitchin North, said that "last year's floods were hugely disruptive for my residents, as this report shows. I will be using my voice on the County Council to ensure Hitchin isn't forgotten and that HCC follows through on its own recommendations to ensure that they are better prepared to support residents through heavy rainfall."