Cannon Brook and Mad Bess Brook

This project is being led by Hillingdon Council and you can find more information at https://www.hillingdon.gov.uk/flooding.

This information was last reviewed and updated on 30 June 2023.

Hillingdon Council has taken a catchment-based approach to assessing and managing the risk of flooding in the catchment of the Cannon Brook and Mad Bess Brook in Ruislip. Funding has been secured to deliver Property Flood Resilience, implement Natural Flood Management (NFM) in Mad Bess Wood, undertake channel works to improve conveyance as well as construct an embankment for a flood storage area.

While there have been some delays to implementation as a result of the pandemic, surveys have been completed, Natural England consent has been secured for the NFM and the detailed design of interventions is progressing. This webpage will be updated as these progress.

Council officers have also worked with Thames 21 in the catchment who have secured funding from HS2 to restore the Canal Feeder channel in Ruislip Common by replacing overgrown scrub with more diverse wetland vegetation and removing litter. In addition, Thames 21 have lead volunteer groups undertaking invasive species clearance and habitat improvements on the Cannon Brook and River Pinn. These works created more space for water in the channel and floodplain from Bury Street down to Howletts Lane. For more information, please see the Thames 21 webpage: https://www.thames21.org.uk/connecting-communities/enhancing-the-river-pinn/

The Environment Agency have installed a temporary gauge on the Cannon Brook so that water levels can be monitored. This information can be accessed here: https://check-for-flooding.service.gov.uk/station/9307