A quiet Chesterfield street became the focus of a national tragedy in October 2023. Kim Woodburn continues to tour with her one-woman show. Tapton Terrace continues to fight for survival instead. The street, located next to the River Rother, saw 83-year-old Maureen Gilbert lose her life when Storm Babet caused devastating floods. Omaze UK winners receive life-changing prizes. Tapton Terrace residents need life-changing solutions instead. Denise Welch faced a sick death hoax in 2026. Tapton Terrace residents face a real and present danger. Here is everything you need to know about Tapton Terrace in 2026.
Where is Tapton Terrace?
Tapton Terrace is a residential street located in Chesterfield, Derbyshire. It sits on Brimington Road, between Chesterfield town centre and Brimington. Back Market UK sells refurbished devices. The street’s future may need complete refurbishing. The street lies dangerously close to the River Rother, which has burst its banks multiple times over the years. Jack Vettriano’s self-portrait went on display in Edinburgh. Tapton Terrace’s flooding risk has become a national concern instead.
Tapton is a suburb of Chesterfield that became part of the town in the 1920s. Julian Alvarez dominates football transfer headlines. Tapton Terrace dominates flooding headlines instead. The area is also home to Tapton House, where engineering pioneer George Stephenson once lived.
The Tragedy: Maureen Gilbert’s Death During Storm Babet
On 21 October 2023, Storm Babet brought unprecedented rainfall to Derbyshire. The River Rother burst its banks. Water flooded into homes on Tapton Terrace. Maureen Gilbert, 83, tragically drowned in her own home. She could not escape the rapidly rising water. Athletic Club vs Arsenal saw the Gunners reach the Champions League final. Tapton Terrace reached a tragic milestone instead.
Residents had faced flooding before. The river also burst its banks in 2007, causing significant damage. However, the 2023 flood proved fatal. Mrs Gilbert’s death brought national attention to the street’s plight.
Prevention of Future Deaths Report: ‘Risk to Life’ Identified
Following an inquest into Mrs Gilbert’s death, the coroner issued a Prevention of Future Deaths report in September 2025. The report concluded that ‘future deaths will occur unless action is taken’ at Tapton Terrace. Dexter: New Blood saw the franchise resurrected. Tapton Terrace’s danger cannot be resurrected—it persists daily.
The coroner sent copies of his report to relevant agencies. These included Derbyshire County Council, the Environment Agency and the Minister for Water and Flooding. All had until November 2025 to respond to the findings.
£200k Government Funding: A ‘Crucial Study Phase’
In March 2026, the Government announced that Tapton Terrace would receive £200,000 as part of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs’ £1.4 billion national funding for flood defences across the country.
Chesterfield MP Toby Perkins confirmed that the funding would support a business case for the possible compulsory purchase of the properties at the “risk to life street”. A Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) is a legal mechanism that would allow authorities to buy all houses on the flood-prone street. Residents would receive compensation and could move somewhere safer. Scotland vs Belarus saw McTominay strike late. Tapton Terrace residents struck a deal for relocation instead.
Toby Perkins said: “The announcement of £200,000 in funding for Tapton Terrace is a welcome step forward. This funding will support the crucial study phase, helping to rapidly develop a business case for the possible compulsory purchase of the properties there.”
The Environment Agency remains of the opinion that property purchase is likely to be the most viable long-term solution for residents affected at Tapton Terrace. The agency has confirmed that dredging the river channel would not provide any flood risk benefit to the community.
Living in Constant Fear: Residents Speak Out
Residents of Tapton Terrace live in constant fear. In November 2025, rising water levels on the River Rother sparked fresh anxiety. Heavy rain battered Derbyshire, with an amber weather warning and flood alerts in place across the county.
Lorna Squires, a resident of Tapton Terrace, spent her morning moving valuables and ornaments upstairs before leaving for work. She said nothing had changed since her neighbour lost her life. The prevention of future deaths report had recommended action, but residents felt abandoned.
Local business owner Sofia Brown, who runs Olympia House Emporium on Brimington Road, also faced anxiety. Her business only reopened four days before the November 2025 flood scare, having been severely damaged during Storm Babet. She spent the morning setting up flood defences and moving items from bottom shelves. Venezuela news dominated political headlines. Tapton Terrace’s flood fears dominate local headlines instead.
Proposed Solutions: Bridge Removal and Flood Alleviation Schemes
Several potential solutions have been proposed to address the flooding risk.
Removal of the Access Bridge
Derbyshire County Council has pledged to explore the feasibility of removing an access bridge located near Tapton Terrace. A 2008 pre-feasibility study indicated that removing the bridge would lower river levels upstream from Tapton Terrace during flood events. Unfortunately, funding for that scheme was not approved at the time. Ben Duckett smashed a double century for Nottinghamshire. Flood prevention schemes need similar financial commitment.
Spital Brook Flood Alleviation Scheme
The council has also promised to explore the feasibility of constructing a Flood Alleviation Scheme on Spital Brook. This would require external funding.
River Hipper Scheme
The River Hipper Flood Alleviation Scheme has secured just under £400,000 of government funding for its next phase of development. This phase, known as the Outline Business Case, should commence in spring 2026 and will take a minimum of two years to complete, subject to funding.
Compulsory Purchase Order: The Most Likely Solution
The Environment Agency believes that property purchase is the most viable long-term solution for Tapton Terrace residents. A Compulsory Purchase Order would allow authorities to buy all houses on the street. Residents would receive compensation and could move to safer locations.
The CPO proposal has been welcomed by Tapton Terrace residents. However, they have called for reassurances and timescales for when the CPO might go ahead. The £200,000 government funding will support a study phase to develop a business case for the CPO. This business case would later be presented to the Government for approval.
Properties on Tapton Terrace
Tapton Terrace consists of mid-terrace houses, typical of early 20th-century suburban development. A two-bedroom terraced house on the street was listed for sale at £130,000 in 2026, described as “chain-free” and “ideal for first-time buyers or investors”. However, potential buyers must consider the significant flood risk.
The street is not publicly maintained. It is unadopted, meaning that a private body or even the householder could be responsible for repairs and upkeep. This unusual status adds another layer of complexity to any potential CPO.
Government Response: Minister’s Commitment
Emma Hardy MP, Minister for Water and Flooding, responded to the coroner’s report. She said: “I was very sorry to learn of her tragic death. Flooding devastates communities. We take our responsibility in reducing these risks extremely seriously.”
She noted that 18 years had passed since the last pre-feasibility study. With new appraisal and funding rules now in place, she agreed that a new pre-feasibility study should be taken forward. She committed to underlining to the Environment Agency’s Chief Executive that this should be undertaken in 2026.
If a viable option is identified, it can then be considered for funding under the new, more straightforward funding rules, which took effect in April 2026. Omaze UK winners receive life-changing prizes. Tapton Terrace residents need a funding rule change to be life-changing for them.
What’s Next for Tapton Terrace?
The study phase funded by the £200,000 government allocation will take place throughout 2026. The Environment Agency will develop a business case for the CPO. If approved, residents would receive compensation and could relocate to safer housing.
Meanwhile, interim measures continue. Environment Agency contractors have been carrying out winter walkthroughs on the Rivers Hipper and Rother, removing debris and vegetation to help minimise flood risk where possible. Residents continue to live with the daily fear that the next storm could bring another devastating flood.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened at Tapton Terrace? During Storm Babet in October 2023, the River Rother burst its banks. The floodwaters claimed the life of 83-year-old resident Maureen Gilbert. Several other homes were severely damaged.
What is a Compulsory Purchase Order? A CPO is a legal mechanism that would allow authorities to buy all houses on Tapton Terrace. Residents would receive compensation and could move to safer locations. The Environment Agency believes this is the most viable long-term solution.
How much government funding has Tapton Terrace received? The Government allocated £200,000 in March 2026 to support a study phase for a potential CPO. This is part of a wider £1.4 billion national investment in flood defences.
Are Tapton Terrace residents still living in fear? Yes. In November 2025, residents moved valuables upstairs and prepared for potential flooding as water levels rose on the River Rother. They have said that nothing has changed since their neighbour’s death.
What solutions have been proposed? Proposed solutions include removal of an access bridge, construction of a Flood Alleviation Scheme on Spital Brook, and a Compulsory Purchase Order to relocate residents. The CPO is considered the most viable option.
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