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Report - - Markeaton Interceptor (Flo Selecta), Derby - July 2015 | UK Draining Forum | 28DaysLater.co.uk

Report - Markeaton Interceptor (Flo Selecta), Derby - July 2015

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WildBoyz

Is this the future?
28DL Full Member
History

“The area used to flood quite regularly until the corporation carried out work to improve the drainage system. The water used to come up through the drains after heavy rainfall as there was nowhere else for it to go”.

Markeaton Brook, which runs through the centre of Derby, has been the cause of many problems since the medieval ages. As early as 1610 it is recorded that the brook spilled over its banks, flooding a nearby gaol which killed three prisoners because the cells were located beneath street level. Floods continued to torment those living in Derby throughout the years, and St. Werburgh’s church is rumoured to have faced extensive damage in both the 18th and 19th centuries. A Great Flood of 1740 was perhaps the worst of all, however, since it caused great damage to many homes, as many rooms which were positioned on the ground floor were entirely submerged. A significant amount of cattle was also swept away from nearby pastures during this disaster.

More recently, in the early 1930s, Derby endured two more major floods which remain famous to this day since they each caused some substantial damage and disruption to the centre of the town. The first occurred in September, 1931, after many days of heavy rain. The full effect of the flooding led to many residents who lived alongside the Markeaton Brook being trapped inside their homes. Many shops were also damaged. Additionally, several allotments were ruined and what would have been the harvest was uprooted and swept through the main streets. The second flood hit the area in May, 1932; this was also known as the Great Flood of Derby. The damage to buildings throughout Derby was catastrophic. Alongside the effects of Markeaton Brook, it is thought that excessive rains from the hills around Kedleston and Mickleover also caused what was described as “an avalanche of water” to cascade throughout the town since it is located at the base of the neighbouring high ground. While a large culvert did exist, and had done for ninety years or so, the sheer volume of water was too great. By ten o’clock on May 22nd water had already breached the streets in low lying parts of Derby, to the extent that shops in the Cornmarket, St. James’s Street and St. Peter’s street were submerged half-way up to the windows. Describing the scene, one resident suggested that “the centre of town presented the appearance of a lake and the sight was unforgettable”.

In the aftermath of the 1932 Great flood, the Borough council launched an investigation to understand why the area was hit so badly. In response to the research that was carried out, two flood relief culverts were constructed. Further improvements were also implemented on Derby’s sewage system. The relief tunnels were officially opened in 1938, with the first draining excess flows from the Markeaton Brook and the second taking surplus water from Bramble Brook. Each brook has its own inlet spillway along with a weir that overflows during periods of high flows, and once inside the system the flows are taken eastwards for 2.2km, beneath the suburbs of Derby, to an outfall in Darley Park which links to the River Derwent. It is estimated, especially during the winter months, that the catchment can generate a flow of 50 cubic metres per second within thirteen hours of heavy rainfall. Since they were originally constructed, the culvert has been improved and upgraded to cope with expected deteriorated that has occurred over the years.

Our Version of Events

With the alarm set at 5.30am, we decided that we would aim to get an early night after a BBQ which was organised by KM_Punk. But, once the whisky came out, it was clear that the original plan wasn’t going to happen. After many burgers, sausages, a couple of cheese slices and a philosophical conversation, we made it to bed around 3.30am; those of us who didn’t pass out at least. Two hours later, with blurry vision and the taste of whisky still in our mouths, we rose – albeit very slowly – at 5.30. After a quick coffee though, we managed to grab our cameras and tripods, and a bucket for The Shepshed Diamondback, before we made our way to the car. Somehow we managed to endure the early morning ‘domestic’ which exploded in the back by cranking up the volume of some good old heavy metal tunes, and, as it turned out, the bucket wasn’t needed after all; so we could say that, in spite of the late night shenanigans which ended only a few hours earlier, the plan was coming together quite well.

We arrived at our destination in good time and it wasn’t long before we were climbing our way into Markeaton Interceptor. Due respect to The Shepshed Diamondback who managed to get this far whilst in such a state, but he wasn’t quite so lucky once inside the overflow culvert. Despite his tentative steps, the slimy slope claimed its first victim and he went down harder than a sack of potatoes while yelling something about saving his camera. Ultimately, all I heard was a very loud BOOM echo throughout the tunnel. The slippery tunnel would later claim more victims, but somewhat ironically, only those who were stone sober! (The Stranton Express for instance who, all of a sudden, sounded like a derailed train). On the whole, however, despite the slick surface in certain areas, the Markeaton Interceptor is a fantastic example of late Victorian architecture and the overflow culvert stands, rather proudly, as an example of something that was built to last. It is only while you are stood inside the tunnel that you can really comprehend the sheer size of the place, and the effort that must have gone into building such a structure.

Explored with KM_Punk, ACID-REFLUX, The (Still Pissed) Shepshed Diamondback, Miss Mayhem and Stranton.

The 1932 Flood.

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1:

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2:

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3:

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4:

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5:

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6:

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7:

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8:

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9:

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10:

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11:

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12:

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13:

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ACID- REFLUX

28DL Full Member
28DL Full Member
:thumbNicely done mate

Good pics and write up especially the de-railment bit that was funny more so as we expected a big splash instead ;)

Was gonna post my pics up but you seem to be in most of them lol
 

WildBoyz

Is this the future?
28DL Full Member
:thumbNicely done mate

Good pics and write up especially the de-railment bit that was funny more so as we expected a big splash instead ;)

Was gonna post my pics up but you seem to be in most of them lol

Cheers mate :P

Ah, sorry man, didn't realise I was in your shots. Must have been the whisky ;)
 

Wevsky

A Predisposed Tourist
Regular User
Nice one mate..i had major stress over my wader strap bits here and met a few other forum folk who also spoke as funny as paul powers..nice pics from the place too :thumb
 
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WildBoyz

Is this the future?
28DL Full Member
Nice one mate..i had major stress over my wader strap bits here and met a few other forum folk who also spoke as funny as paul powers..nice pics form the place too :thumb

Thanks man :thumb Cheers for looking.
 

ACID- REFLUX

28DL Full Member
28DL Full Member
Well they certainly look more impressive on the PC mate :thumb

They"ve come out really well, considering the state you were all in, my fav" is No 11 ;)

There"s this Wino, giving @The_Raw a run for his money on jazzy trainers :)

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WildBoyz

Is this the future?
28DL Full Member
Awesome shot that mate. I'm surprised I could stretch so far so early on.

Wonder who is in number 11 ;)
 

DiMskiG

28DL Full Member
28DL Full Member
Great photos - I live nearby and I am really keen on going to this location with a few friends - I have dont some thorough searching on Google and cannot seem to find any entry points - where would you suggest I start
 

Wevsky

A Predisposed Tourist
Regular User
Great photos - I live nearby and I am really keen on going to this location with a few friends - I have dont some thorough searching on Google and cannot seem to find any entry points - where would you suggest I start

By looking closer...and thats not sarcasm but a valid point check the way in for well..ways in
 

Punk

Punkus Explorus
28DL Full Member
Great photos - I live nearby and I am really keen on going to this location with a few friends - I have dont some thorough searching on Google and cannot seem to find any entry points - where would you suggest I start

By looking closer...and thats not sarcasm but a valid point check the way in for well..ways in

He's right, look closer and use your imagination :thumb
 

DiMskiG

28DL Full Member
28DL Full Member
He's right, look closer and use your imagination :thumb

I went there yesterday to do some scouting lets say... Got in to an extent - I found a little gap where I could "safely" swing round the fence - I then went right up to the steel girders from there on do you just lower yourself in and explore? going back there with a few mates this weekend didn't take my camera yesterday as I didn't want to risk it
 
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