Upwell IDB (Internal Drainage Board)

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Page created Mar 2013, last edited: 09/01/26, 18:01

Introduction

This is NOT the official webpage of the IDB, but is largely based on official data in the public domain.

The district was formed in 1748 by the Fenland Drainage Act "for draining and improving certain fen lands within the manors and parishes of Upwell and Outwell, and the parishes of Denver and Welney, in the Isle of Ely, and counties of Cambridge and Norfolk."

An act of 1772 amended the 1748 act, and in 1801 another for "for more effectually draining and improving", etc, and a 4th in 1872, amending the act (unstated).

The management of the drainage area was, and still is, by a Board of elected members/commissioners who own or farm the land. In later years nominees of District and Borough Councils with land within the area have been appointed to the board.

Scroll down to read the whole story, or click on menu

Drainage Area

Within the low-lying area, there are dykes and ditches belonging to and the responsibility of individual farmers, which drain by gravity into larger channels owned and maintained by the district Board, which take the water to a point where it is pumped up into "main drains" managed by the Middle Level Commissioners (MLC) or Environment Agency (EA). In some cases, such as the MLC's main drain (MLMD), the water is pumped again into a tidal river.

Generally in the Fens, water levels are kept high in summer to allow extraction for irrigation, and low in winter to allow for heavy rains and avoid or alleviate flooding.

The current rateable area shown on the IDB's 2022 plan is 4847ha (12,000 acres) bounded on the west by Sixteen Foot River, north by Pophams Eau and Welle Creek,on the east by Old Bedford River, and the south partly by Old Croft River.
upwell-ib-area-map

Pumping Stations

name built power pumps output location
Nordelph 1932 1970 Electric 1970 Pophams Eau sth
Bedlam Bridge 1948 Electric 1:1980 2:2006 16 Ft River east
Upwell Fen 1967 Electric 1976 OBR west
Cock Fen 1975 1975
2 x Diesel		 1975 2.04 m3/s OBR west
Padgets Corner 1980   2012 16 Ft River east
In addition to the pumping stations, there are 5 gravity outfalls; 3 (including Old Croft River) into the north end of 16 Ft River, 2 into Pophams Eau
Sources: Tech data: Consulting Engineer's Report 2025 by Dave Bantoft; locations: webmaster
Note: Unless noted, engine date is same as pump, and one engine per pump. Metric pump sizes converted to approx inch size and electric power kw converted to bhp, to enable easier comparison. For dates "<" indicates before, and “>” indicates since or now. Grey hatched cells indicate plant removed.

Sources used

ref source other
1 Documents on IDB webpage on MLC (Midddle Level Commissioners) website
2 Steam detail from KSG Hinde’s Fenland Pumping Engines, Landmark Publishing, 2006
3 HC Darby's The changing Fenland, Cambridge University Press, 1983
4
5


Administration and Management

Although still independent, the IDB now receives considerable administrative and enginering assistance from the Middle Level Commissioners.

Finance

The Board is responsible for land drainage and flood protection and is funded by levying drainage rates on local farmers with additional income from local and central government.

Every farmer in the District has to pay a drainage rate to the Board (which may depend on the value of the land?). In addition, District or Borough Councils pay a Special Levy to cover domestic and commercial properties in the district.

The income for XXXX is XXXXXX ????


Board Membership, 22nd Jan 2025

Elected: 14; Appointed (by Boro Clls, but not necessarly a Cllr or employee) 5; Total 19.
Quorum as detailed in the standing orders: 7.

Elected Members

name from status office(s) nominated by
Bliss, Harold G <2013 Ratepayer  
Calton, Steve   Ratepayer nominee   Fred Hartley Estates
Clabon, Patrick <2013 Ratepayer Vice-chair from 2015
District Officer
Gladwin, Roger D <2013 Ratepayer  
Gladwin, W   Ratepayer nominee   ??
Goodger, Ken <2013 Ratepayer Chair (from 2015; previously vice-chair 2013))
District Officer
Gott, Richard <2015 Ratepayer  
Gowler, Gregory W <2013 Ratepayer  
Hartley, Peter <2013 Ratepayer nominee   Frank Hartley & Sons
Hartley, Steven <2013 Ratepayer nominee   Frank Hartley & Sons
Kew, A   Ratepayer nominee   Waldersley Farms Ltd
Means, R (snr) 2015 Ratepayer nominee   Fred Hartley Estate
Quail, Alan <2013 Ratepayer  
Quail, J 2015 Ratepayer nominee   Scott Oldroyd & Co

Appointed Members

name from status appointed by
Crofts, C J <2013 Councillor KL&WN Borough Council
French, J   Councillor Fenland District Council
Kirk, J   Councillor KL&WN Borough Council
Marks, C   Councillor Fenland District Council
Rose, C   Councillor KL&WN Borough Council

Officials and Employees

name from status appointed by
Nunn, Carl   District Foreman (assistant/acting in 2015)
Goodger, Ken District Officer
Clabon, P District Officer
Burrows, Paul Clerk to the Board Middle Level Commissioners
Ablett, Samantha Representative of Clerk, Minute taker Middle Level Commissioners


Acknowledgements
Text and photos except where noted © Peter Cox, 2010-12
If you think there are any errors or ommissions on this page or would like to comment, please e-mail me and your response will be added.