OFA member Simon Collings was interviewed on BBC Radio Oxford this morning about the Oxford Flood Alleviation Scheme and the public inquiry into the Compulsory Purchase Order which starts today. Simon talked about the misery of being flooded and the need to be pressing on urgently with implementing the scheme. He rejected claims that there are better options than the one proposed by the Environment Agency, and he welcomed the inquiry as a fair method for resolving challenges from opponents of the scheme.

There wasn’t time during the interview to deal with a claim by the spokesperson for the opposition that the scheme will ‘destroy Hinksey Meadow’. This is not true. The Environment Agency has worked very hard to minimise the impact of the scheme on the meadow and has worked closely with the Floodplain Meadows Partnership, the UK experts, in designing the scheme.

Jon Mansbridge from the Environment Agency was also interviewed later in the morning. He explained what the flood alleviation scheme will deliver, both in reducing flood risk and environmental benefits. If the scheme gets approval it is hoped construction will begin in late 2024. It will take five years to complete the scheme but benefits will begin to accrue as elements of the project are put in place.

You can catch recordings of the interviews on BBC Listen Live.https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/live:bbc_radio_oxford. Listen from 7.20am to hear Simon and from 8.20am for Jon Mansbridge.