The Oxford Flood Alleviation Scheme is now moving towards construction. To ensure the works phase causes minimum disruption for local residents the Environment Agency is setting up a community liaison group to advise on public engagement activity and to provide feedback on what is and isn’t working. A small core group has been formed and met for the first time on 1 October. The plan is to expand the group nearer to the start of construction.

Members of the public who are concerned about issues such as traffic movements, noise, and footpath diversions will be able to raise these matters directly with the contractor Graham. They will have a dedicated team handing queries from the public. Problems can also be raised directly with the Environment Agency. The role of the liaison group is to ensure this system is effective and that issues are being resolved.

The core group is made up of local councillors, members of Oxford Flood Alliance and South Oxford Flood Action Group (SOFLAG), and two independents. A full list of the members will be made available soon on the scheme webpages. The Oxford Flood Alliance representatives are Adrian Porter and Simon Collings. SOFLAG is represented by David Macdonald.