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Coroner flags 'ongoing' risks after flooding death in Chesterfield Coroner flags 'ongoing' risks after flooding death in Chesterfield
(about 16 hours later)
Maureen Gilbert was found dead in her house in Tapton Terrace in 2023Maureen Gilbert was found dead in her house in Tapton Terrace in 2023
A coroner's prevention of future deaths report has raised concerns over the ongoing "risk to life" on a street where a woman drowned in her home during Storm Babet.A coroner's prevention of future deaths report has raised concerns over the ongoing "risk to life" on a street where a woman drowned in her home during Storm Babet.
Maureen Gilbert, 83, died after her house in Tapton Terrace, Chesterfield, Derbyshire, was flooded in October 2023 when the nearby River Rother burst its banks.Maureen Gilbert, 83, died after her house in Tapton Terrace, Chesterfield, Derbyshire, was flooded in October 2023 when the nearby River Rother burst its banks.
Coroner Matthew Kewley issued the report on Wednesday to the Environment Agency (EA), Derbyshire County Council and to the government's minister for water and flooding. Coroner Matthew Kewley issued the report on Wednesday to the Environment Agency, Derbyshire County Council and to the government's minister for water and flooding.
A Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) spokesperson confirmed it had received the report and was "carefully considering its findings".A Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) spokesperson confirmed it had received the report and was "carefully considering its findings".
Mrs Gilbert's house was covered in mud after the floodingMrs Gilbert's house was covered in mud after the flooding
The EA said it would "continue to work together with other organisations to reduce the risk of flooding". The agency said it would "continue to work together with other organisations to reduce the risk of flooding".
The report was drawn up after Mr Kewley gave a short narrative conclusion at the end of the inquest into Mrs Gilbert's death on 5 September.The report was drawn up after Mr Kewley gave a short narrative conclusion at the end of the inquest into Mrs Gilbert's death on 5 September.
It said Tapton Terrace "remains vulnerable to flooding" and that this "gives rise to a risk to life, particularly in respect of residents who may be elderly, vulnerable or immobile".It said Tapton Terrace "remains vulnerable to flooding" and that this "gives rise to a risk to life, particularly in respect of residents who may be elderly, vulnerable or immobile".
Following flood damage to the street in 2007, an EA pre-feasibility study identified a number of technically feasible options that would reduce the flood risk. Following flood damage to the street in 2007, an agency pre-feasibility study identified a number of technically feasible options that would reduce the flood risk.
None of these measures were implemented, the report said, principally due to cost reasons.None of these measures were implemented, the report said, principally due to cost reasons.
It added: "When Storm Babet hit in October 2023, Tapton Terrace remained in the same position that it was in back in 2007."It added: "When Storm Babet hit in October 2023, Tapton Terrace remained in the same position that it was in back in 2007."
Mrs Gilbert lived her entire life on the street, which consists of 26 houses and lies next to the River Rother.Mrs Gilbert lived her entire life on the street, which consists of 26 houses and lies next to the River Rother.
Watermarks in a neighbour's home in Tapton Terrace showed how high the river roseWatermarks in a neighbour's home in Tapton Terrace showed how high the river rose
In 2018, work was done to protect the street with the opening of the Avenue Flood Balance Reservoir, a large water storage area designed to hold back water upstream with the aim of reducing water flow downstream.In 2018, work was done to protect the street with the opening of the Avenue Flood Balance Reservoir, a large water storage area designed to hold back water upstream with the aim of reducing water flow downstream.
In the same year, Mrs Gilbert's home was fitted with a number of flood reduction measures, such as front and rear door flood barriers.In the same year, Mrs Gilbert's home was fitted with a number of flood reduction measures, such as front and rear door flood barriers.
However, these measures only provided protection up to a water level height of 0.6m (1.9ft).However, these measures only provided protection up to a water level height of 0.6m (1.9ft).
The report requires the three interested parties to respond to the coroner - including details of plans that have or will take place - within 56 days.The report requires the three interested parties to respond to the coroner - including details of plans that have or will take place - within 56 days.
Responding to the report, deputy director Neil Longden, from the EA, said: "In recent years, we have worked with partners to take steps to reduce the risk of flooding in Chesterfield from the River Rother and the River Hipper. Mrs Gilbert, pictured with her late husband Jack Gilbert, had lived on the same street her entire life
Responding to the report, deputy director Neil Longden, from the Environment Agency, said: "In recent years, we have worked with partners to take steps to reduce the risk of flooding in Chesterfield from the River Rother and the River Hipper.
"This includes the Avenue Flood Storage Reservoir, the Grassmoor Natural Flood Management Project and work to repair defences damaged during Storm Babet."This includes the Avenue Flood Storage Reservoir, the Grassmoor Natural Flood Management Project and work to repair defences damaged during Storm Babet.
"We will continue to work together with other organisations to reduce the risk of flooding by progressing the actions set out in Derbyshire County Council's Section 19 report, along with responding to the coroner's report.""We will continue to work together with other organisations to reduce the risk of flooding by progressing the actions set out in Derbyshire County Council's Section 19 report, along with responding to the coroner's report."
Derbyshire County Council has been contacted for comment. Derbyshire County Council said it had taken action since Storm Babet, including inspections of all the places where flooding occurred.
Cabinet member for net zero and environment, Carol Wood, said: "We have addressed issues where possible and notified the relevant landowners of issues they need to deal with.
"Despite the work conducted so far and planned for the future, some areas of Chesterfield remain at risk of flooding, but I'm determined to support work with other agencies to ensure we do everything we can to try to prevent a tragedy like Mrs Gilbert happening to other families."
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