Oxford FAS ground investigations: a borehole being drilled this afternoon in South Hinksey.
The A-frame percussive drill dug 9 metres down, below the alluvial layer, the gravel layer and 5 metres into the clay.
The capped pipe is a monitoring site where the changes in ground water depth over time can be observed.
28 September 2014
Four of us were interviewed by Japan’s NHK for a television documentary on climate change. NHK is Japan’s national public broadcaster, and Japan’s largest broadcasting organization. The interviews and filming covered OFA’s evolution as a community organisation and what we have done, and the problems of flooding and measures taken to reduce its impact as exemplified in the Botley Road area and South Hinksey, while John Mastroddi highlighted the important multi-partner project at Munday’s bridge. The Committee on Climate Change, Thames Estuary 2100, Thames Barriers and others will form part of the programme too – it’s due out in Japan (with subtitles!) in November and internationally in December.
2 June 2014
A new member for our Steering Group
Adrian Porter, of South Hinksey, has accepted our invitation to join the OFA Steering Group. We are delighted: he is already knowledgeable and active on flooding and will be a great asset to OFA.
13 May 2014
Flood Support Grants – message from Oxford City Council: if you were affected by flooding between 1 December 2013 and 31 March this year, you might be interested in the financial support detailed in this Flood Support Leaflet. Anyone interested in applying can find application forms on the council website http://www.oxford.gov.uk/floodingsupport or call 01865 249811 for further information.
9 February 2013
Oxford Mail report: “More than 120 jobs are set to be axed at a Co-op distribution centre in Oxford. …Problems with flooding at the site were cited as one of the reasons for the plans.”
http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/10217820.123_jobs_to_go_as_floods_cause_Co_op_to_close_depot/?ref=rss
19 January 2013
Oxfordshire County Council recently voted in favour of a 5% increase in the contributions of all county councils in the Thames region to the regional flood levy fund, and the vote was (just) carried in favour. This far-sighted move means that more central government funds will be attracted to schemes in Oxfordshire, rather than going elsewhere in the country. Effective flood defences for areas at highest risk will in turn curb the ever-increasing drain on Council funds when floods occur. We congratulate the Council and look forward to seeing schemes across the county in the places most at risk. Oxford is one such and we look forward to helping if we can.
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.
3 February 2011
Work began recently to create a road and pavement hump, at the north end of Earl Street, to stop floodwater on the Botley Road pouring like a river down Earl Street. The work is now complete. We have campaigned for this for over two years. It is a big step in the right direction for residents of Earl and Duke Streets. Thanks to all concerned at County, City and EA.
22 July 2009
Nick Hills of the OFA Steering Group was interviewed by Geraldine Piers on BBC Oxford TV regional news.
The government is asking local authorities to build new houses – Oxford is due to provide 8000 more. Nick spoke about the importance of taking flooding into account when the siting of these houses is considered. Unless great care is taken, building in areas likely to flood not only puts the new properties at risk but increases the risk for existing properties.
Local authorities should think long and hard, and take the government’s PPS25 guidance into account, when considering the siting of new buildings.
