SCC Management Project Aims To Reduce Ash Vale Flood Risk

Published on: 23 Oct, 2025
Updated on: 23 Oct, 2025

Ash Ranges – subject to a new flood management project. Image: Wikipedia

Surrey County Council is planning to implement a Natural Flood Management Project on the Ash Ranges in order to reduce the flood risk to Ash Vale.

A public information event is being planned for Thursday, October 30, to help people understand the project.

SCC says Natural Flood Management involves restoring or replicating natural features that hold water and slow rainfall runoff. This reduces flood risk downstream as well as delivering wider environmental benefits.

The council says: “Some of the NFM features we are planning to implement include measures such as small temporary ponds (scrapes) and woody leaky barriers.

“This is a pilot project aiming to provide learning about the effects and deliverability of Natural Flood Management while also reducing flood risk to Ash and Ash Vale.”

The works will be widely spread across the military ranges, including the wooded, open access areas near Prospect Road, Wharf Road and Ash Hill Road.

Richard Lucas, both a borough and Ash parish councillor

Borough councillor Richard Lucas (Lib Dem, Ash Vale) said: “Blackwater valley is a flat bottomed valley surrounded by steep hillsides (the Ash Ranges, Hogs Back and Caesar’s Camp).

“This is a good example of Surrey County Council, Guildford Borough Council and Ash Parish Council working together to learn how to better manage heavy rainfall events for the benefit of our residents”

The information event will take place on October 30 at the Ash Centre, Ash Hill Road, from 2pm-7pm.