3 January 2013
An interesting article from the BBC from 25 November 2012: ‘UK floods: How can you protect your home or business?’
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-20497598
Author Archives: rawcy
Reporting sewer flooding
3 January 2013
Where sewers are overflowing from manhole covers there is a risk that watercourses will become polluted. Such incidents can be reported, by any member of the public, to the Environment Agency Incident Hotline on 0800 807060 (Freephone, 24 hour service). Improvements are more likely to happen if incidents are reported.
Separately, the sewer company (locally Thames Water) may offer compensation if you experience sewer flooding in your house or garden. This needs to be reported directly to Thames Water. Check their website for details http://www.thameswater.co.uk/help-and-advice/3018.htm Again, improvements are more likely to happen if incidents are reported to Thames Water as well.
Pinchpoints
3 January 2013
River levels are still about 1m above normal in the west Oxford floodplain. This emphasises the difficulty water has in getting away from our area. It has to get under the main-line railway to reach the Thames. There are three bridges under the railway downstream of the Botley Road.
We have been campaigning about the furthest downstream, Munday’s bridge, a 60ft bridge at Kennington, for some years. We are eagerly awaiting the start of a Thames Water project to greatly improve the flow of water under the bridge. There have been delays, but we are optimistic that the work will go ahead reasonably soon. This should reduce flooding of property and the railway line.
More flood photos (unfortunately)
A series of excellent flood photos taken in December 2012 [Edit: and January 2013].
https://picasaweb.google.com/100616118436869252453/OxfordFloodsChristmas2012?authkey=Gv1sRgCLyfn8Hj4IaXhgE&feat=content_notification
Sewers overflowing
28 December 2012
Sewers are overflowing in Earl Street today, adding to the list of overloaded sewers in Oxford.
If you have sewer overflow into your garden or property you may be entitled to compensation from Thames Water.
Flooding again
26 December 2012
Water levels in the area have crept up slowly today and are on the verge of flooding the lowest-lying houses in South Hinksey. The main-line rail track at Kennington is flooded.
Sewer flooding
South Hinksey, Christmas Day 2012
25 December 2012
Overflowing sewers being emptied on behalf of Thames Water (TW) in South Hinksey on Christmas Day. A big thank you to the men doing the work for the last few days and right through the Christmas season.
Sewer flooding has been a problem in parts of Botley, North and South Hinksey and Kennington for some years, but notably worse in the last three or four. Heavy rain regularly results in manholes overflowing with foul effluent. Before and during the November river floods, sewage overflowed in large amounts in South Hinksey, into houses, gardens and streets. The contaminated effluent entered local watercourses – pollution reports have been filed by the Environment Agency. Nicola Blackwood, MP, called a Public Meeting in South Hinksey. In a packed hall, Thames Water apologised for what had happened, and that some failings of theirs had not helped. They agreed, among other things, to publish plans to address hydraulic overload, blockages and the upgrade of Littlemore pumping station, to include an overview of timelines.
In the threatened floods now, TW tankers have been in South Hinksey regularly to empty the sewers, making a great improvement on November. The community now awaits the promised plans. There must be serious problems somewhere, which desperately need sorting out, because the sewers overflow when there is no river flooding – and more seriously in the last few years.
The Abingdon Road area had very similar problems in the November floods, with tankers employed to relieve the sewers.
Sewers get overloaded in flood conditions in parts of the Botley Road area.
Flooding at Christmas
24 December 2012
We are again facing possible property flooding in the area, maybe tomorrow, Christmas Day. For some this would be the second time in two months, and the fifth time in 12 years. While EVERY flooded home is serious, homes which are at risk of flooding repeatedly deserve particular priority. Action has been taken in some local areas but others remain at high risk. It would be ideal to have 1 in 100 year protection for everyone, but as that is unlikely to happen in the foreseeable future, we need smaller schemes now for those worst affected. We cannot wait for jam tomorrow. This needs money. While the government’s recently announced 120 million pounds extra (nationally) for flood relief schemes is welcome, much more is needed, without delay.
The need for more government funding
12 December 2012
We spent this morning meeting with representatives of the Environment Agency, the Regional Flood and Coastal Committee, County Council, Oxford City Council and others. We hosted a meeting with these partners in July, to discuss what can be done to help further reduce flood risk in the Oxford area, and today’s meeting was the follow-up.
The meeting was positive and forward-looking. But while all involved want to see progress, and variously have the skills, knowledge and dedication to achieve it, what is sorely lacking is sufficient central government funding.
Parts of the Oxford Flood Strategy, and several works proposed by ourselves, have been implemented already. These helped in the recent flooding. Getting more done is a long slow process.
We’ll do what we can to keeping flooding high on the political agenda.
Letter in the Times
4 December 2012
Our letter about flood defence funding published in the Times of 28 November 2012.
oxford flood alliance 