6 July 2013
Article in the Oxford Mail about South Hinksey sewer flooding and the work being done:
http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/10530984.Pipe_clearing_aiming_to_rid_village_of_damaging_floods/
Flood insurance agreement
5 July 2013
Andrew Smith, MP for Oxford East, writes in the Oxford Mail about the flood insurance agreement.
http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/10524505.Working_to_ensure_a_crisis_Isn_t_a_financial_nightmare/
Flood insurance
29 June 2013
For months there have been cries from the back seat of ‘Are we there yet?’ and the reply ‘Very, very nearly’ from the government and the insurance industry. At long last an agreement has been reached, see Flood Re Briefing Note from the Association of British Insurers (pdf download). Both Oxford MPs, Andrew Smith and Nicola Blackwood, have been active in the House of Commons and behind the scenes in pushing for this. So has Brian Durham, member of the OFA Steering Group and Co-chair of the South Oxford Flood Action Group, SOFAG. Our thanks to them all.
South Hinksey sewers
Sewer clearing South Hinksey, June 2013
Sewer clearing South Hinksey, June 2013
Sewer clearing South Hinksey, June 2013
11 June 2013
Sewers are being cleared in South Hinksey. The main sewer has been found to be badly blocked. There are many places in the pipe where groundwater is getting in – we hope these will be repaired by relining the pipe. Thames Water are having this work done following the sewer overflows in November and December 2012.
Maintenance of rural stretches: riparian responsibilities
Hinksey Stream at South Hinksey, 1 Nov 2012
7 June 2013
Peter Rawcliffe of OFA met with a representative of the EA today, to discuss the maintenance of the long rural stretches of waterway in our area. Our joint aim is to bring the riparian owners within Oxford together to develop a practical approach to their doing the maintenance work that is needed. The EA has the skills, experience and authority to advise: OFA will add the community voice, emphasising the importance of proper maintenance and of riparian owners fulfilling their responsibilities. We hope to be able to report progress by our Annual Public Meeting in November.
Meeting on OFA proposals; and encouraging maintenance by riparian owners
30 May 2013
1. Meeting this afternoon with representatives of the EA, County, RFCC, City and Vale. We heard the results of assessments of ten proposals put forward by OFA last December. Two broad options are worthy of further investigation: we expect to hear more by the autumn. Also awaited is a reconciliation of two different flood models for our area, which will have an indirect bearing on the proposals mentioned and assist in a re-evaluation of the idea of a new ‘western conveyance’ – i.e. bigger waterway (new, or expanded present ones – or a mix of the two). While nothing is yet definite, we remain patiently optimistic, and determined.
2. We are starting to work with the EA (first meeting next week) to encourage owners of the banks of the long rural stretches of waterway in the area (for which as riparian owners they are responsible) to undertake long-term maintenance of the waterways.
Good progress at Munday’s
23 May 2013. See April 24 and earlier.
Munday’s again
Looking north
Looking south
See April 8 and earlier
Work begins at Munday’s
Work starts at Munday’s
Work starts at Munday’s
8 April 2013
Work has now begun to improve Munday’s bridge, Kennington. It has been a very long wait (see 9 March) but well worth waiting for. We have been critical of Thames Water recently, over sewer flooding in various parts of Oxford, but on Munday’s we owe them a big thank you, as their work will help not only in Kennington but in the west Oxford flood plain generally. Especial thanks too to the residents who are having to put up with months of work, including pile-driving at night.
Munday’s bridge under the railway at Kennington
9 March 2013
We have been urging that this serious bottleneck near Redbridge be sorted out since 2007. Improvements were made in 2009, but more was needed.
Now there is a multi-partner project between Thames Water, Network Rail, Oxford City Council, Vale of White Horse District Council and Oxfordshire County Council to make further improvements. Delays due to legal issues have now been resolved, thanks to help from Oxford’s two MPs, Nicola Blackwood and Andrew Smith. We hope work will now start in early April, but as things are now almost a year late we will only be sure when it actually begins. Nevertheless, action is in sight, and will help reduce the flood risk for many people.
oxford flood alliance 