Category Archives: Events

Public drop-in meetings for Oxford and Abingdon Flood Alleviation Schemes

Posted on by • Posted in Events, Meetings, OFAS • Tagged , , , , ,

Public drop-in sessions are now arranged for the Oxford Flood Alleviation Scheme (OFAS). These sessions are for people to find out about the scheme, ask questions and make suggestions. All are from 2:30 pm to 7:30 pm – come when you like.

  • Tuesday June 23       Kennington Village Hall OX1 5PG
  • Thursday June 25     Abingdon Guildhall OX14 3HL (both Oxford and Abingdon schemes)
  • Friday June 26           West Oxford Community Centre OX2 0BT
  • Tuesday June 30       Oxford Town Hall OX1 1BX
  • Friday July 3               South Oxford Community Centre OX1 4RP.

Prime Minister visits Oxford

Posted on by • Posted in Events, OFAS • Tagged , , , , , ,

PM visiting Oxford_Dec2014

From L: Barry Russell (EA); Nicola Blackwood, MP; David Cameron, Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister, Mr David Cameron, visited Oxford today. This was related to an announcement that £42 million should be available to the Oxford FAS. While this was anticipated, as Flood Defence Grant in Aid money allowable for the proposed project, to have it announced in this public way is very welcome as it adds impetus and weight to the proposal.

It does not imply though that the Scheme is a done deal: there is a rigorous assessment procedure and further public consultation to be gone through before the Treasury finally decides whether the project should go ahead.

It is also the case that no specific scheme, formally proposed, exists yet: that is still being worked on.

It was good to meet the new Chairman of the Environment Agency, Philip Dilley.

8th Annual Public Meeting

Posted on by • Posted in Events, Meetings • Tagged , , , , , , , , , , ,

APM 2014 welcome13 November 2014

Our 8th Annual Public Meeting attracted a good audience, including local politicians. This year we had three guest speakers as well as presentations from OFA on matters concerning local areas.

John Copley and Barry Russell were made OFA Flood Stars. John has expertly chaired the Oxford Area Flood Partnership since its inception in 2007. Working behind the scenes, he and the partnership have achieved a very great deal in this time. Meanwhile, a well known presence in his waders in every recent flood, Barry, from the Environment Agency, is a key figure in managing flooding on the ground. He has also been involved in many of the flood prevention measures taken here in recent years. We are immensely grateful to them both for all they have done, all the hard work and long hours put in. They have made a real difference.

Ben Ward spoke about Oxford Flood Network’s plans to install water level monitors in the Oxford area to provide live information on water levels, to a computer or smartphone, during flooding, on a much more local scale than at present available. This is an exciting prospect and we welcome it. Ben is looking for people who are prepared to have a (compact) sensor device sited, say, in their garden, or other suitable location.

Nick Ross and Matthew Rose presented Thames Water’s plans for a three-year comprehensive survey (already just begun) of main sewers throughout the Oxford area. This is very welcome as there have been many serious problems with foul sewer overflow, especially during floods.

Richard Harding and Barry Russell of the Environment Agency explained the Oxford Flood Alleviation Scheme. This c. £125 million scheme is intended to reduce the risk of flooding in Oxford to once in 75 years (though some areas may still be affected more often) – assuming that climate change does not conspire to make things worse (as it well may). A lively discussion ensued, which will no doubt be continued elsewhere.

Thank you to everybody who came and for the generous donations to support our work.

Flood Fair

Posted on by • Posted in Events • Tagged ,

IMG_6972 flood fair 2014

31 October 2014

OFA stand at the Oxfordshire Flood Fair this afternoon, manned by Nick Hills, Peter Rawcliffe, John Mastroddi and Simon Collings. The National Flood Forum and all the ‘flood agencies’ represented. Good attendance, interesting discussion – a useful afternoon. Well done to the County Council for organising this event.

Come to our Annual Public Meeting – 13 November

Posted on by • Posted in Events, Meetings, OFA • Tagged , , , , , , ,

16 October  2014

Our own Annual Public Meeting is on Thursday 13th November 2014, 7 for 7.30pm, the Demos, Osney Island, Oxford.
All welcome. Come and learn more about the Oxford Flood Alleviation Scheme and long-stretch maintenance.
Ask us questions, tell us what you think, discuss topics such as upstream storage and delaying run-off. Anything about flooding.

OAFP annual public meeting

Posted on by • Posted in Events, Meetings, OAFP • Tagged , , , ,

16 October 2014

OAFP annual public meeting this evening at which Thames Water announced news of a £1million+ study of the Oxford area catchment sewers, over the next 2-3 years. This will result in a business plan to take appropriate action. That will then have to be funded. Welcome news, well done all who have worked towards this, not least Oxford City Council and local MPs, but most of all to Thames Water themselves.

An interesting meeting, and well attended, but we missed the open floor question session that disappeared last year; hope it’ll be back next year.

OFA Annual Public Meeting, 2012

Posted on by • Posted in Events, Meetings, OFA • Tagged , , , , ,

9 November 2012

We held our fifth Annual Public Meeting last night. Each year we wonder if attendance will drop off as we get further from the last flood. That’s 5 years ago, but again we had an excellent turnout. We work by public consent, so it’s important to us that we have strong public support – we’re ready to go for another year. We were delighted to welcome both our local MPs, Nicola Blackwood and Andrew Smith, and Rodney Rose, Deputy Leader of the County Council, who has responsibility for flooding. The County is now the Lead Local Flood Authority and Rodney Rose represents the County on the important DEFRA Thames Regional Flood and Coastal Committee.
Thank you to everybody who came.

Hinksey Park barriers

Posted on by • Posted in Events, Local issues • Tagged , , ,

3 September 2009

On Tuesday 22 September, the Environment Agency will be demonstrating to the public the use of its new demountable flood barriers for Hinksey Park. From 1pm to 3pm, teams will be showing residents how the barriers are erected and dismantled and the speed with which they can be deployed. Experts will be on hand to answer questions.
The barriers are of the same design as those demonstrated to the public at Osney Island in July 2008.
The demountable barriers for Hinksey Park were purchased by the Environment Agency as part of its £1.8m Short Term Measures programme for Oxford. They will help reduce flood risk in Vicarage Lane and Lake Street from the Hinksey Lakes.