About the Board
South Holderness Internal Drainage Board (IDB) is responsible for managing water levels and maintaining drainage infrastructure within the Board’s district.
The Board was formed on 1 April 2013 following the amalgamation of the former Preston, Keyingham, Ottringham, Skeffling, Winestead and Thorngumbald Drainage Boards under an Order made pursuant to the Land Drainage Act 1991.
The Board plays an important role in reducing flood risk, supporting agricultural production, and protecting the local environment across a predominantly low-lying area of South Holderness.
The District
The Board’s district covers approximately 7,807 hectares within a wider catchment area of around 32,000 hectares.
The area includes a mixture of agricultural land, residential property and industrial land, all of which benefit from the Board’s water level management activities.
Due to the low-lying nature of the district, effective drainage is essential to protect land, property and infrastructure from flooding.
What the Board Does
The Board is responsible for maintaining an extensive network of drains, watercourses and outfall structures across the district.
The majority of the Board’s drains discharge into Environment Agency maintained main rivers, often via pumped or tidal outfalls.
Maintenance activities include vegetation management, desilting and the upkeep of structures to ensure water can flow efficiently through the system.
The Board works closely with landowners, the Environment Agency and local authorities to manage water levels and reduce flood risk.
Assets and Infrastructure
The Board is responsible for a number of key drainage structures and systems within the district, including:
Preston New Clough
Ottringham Clough
Welwick Drain Outfall
Land Adjoining Ottringham Drain
Bilton Non-Return Valve
In addition, the Board maintains sections of key drainage channels including parts of the Keyingham, Burstwick, Thorngumbald, Ottringham, Winestead and Skeffling drains, together with Old Fleet, Preston New Drain and Reedmere Sewer.
Non-Board maintained major infrastructure within the board area includes the A1033 Hull-Withernsea road.
How the Board Operates
The Board consists of 12 elected members representing agricultural ratepayers together with members appointed by East Riding of Yorkshire Council.
The Board meets regularly throughout the year to consider maintenance programmes, financial matters and issues affecting the district.
Works are carried out by contractors under the direction of the Board, ensuring that the drainage system is maintained to an appropriate standard.
Clerk to the Board
The Clerk is responsible for the day-to-day administration of the Board, including correspondence, financial management and the organisation of meetings.
All enquiries should be directed to the Clerk using the contact details provided.