15 September 2009
Today, preparing for large new culverts under the railway access road.
Earl and Duke Streets
A Penstock valve
Duke Street, valves going in
The place marked ready for the valves in Earl Street
15 September 2009
The Earl Street/Duke Street Area Working Party is bearing fruit. This inter-agency group was established in response to a suggestion from OFA, quickly taken up by the EA and then taken forward by the agencies involved and OFA, led by John Copley of Oxford City.
Work has now begun. Engineers working for Thames Water are installing Penstock valves in each street. The Duke Street valve has already gone in and another is about to go in in Earl Street. The valves will be operated, if flooding threatens, to isolate the drains north of the Botley Road at this point from those in Earl and Duke Streets to the south, relieving the pressure on the drains there which are easily overwhelmed.
Further work, by Oxford City, will connect the rainwater gullies along both streets into the existing large underground pumps at the southern end, which pump into the meadow beyond.
Seacourt Stream nr. Wytham
13 September 2009
Our man in waders tells us that the Environment Agency is starting work, this coming week, to remove a silt bank that is impeding the flow of the Seacourt Stream as it approaches the A34 road bridge near Wytham. The maintenance, which is expected to take 2 weeks, will also include tree maintenance and clearing overgrown vegetation.
New Flood Star
4 September 2009
Mary Timbrell of Duke Street chosen as OFA Flood Star for September 2009.
Mary has lived in Duke Street for 70 years. She is an active member of the local community and after the 2000 flood became an Environment Agency Flood Warden. Today she is still helping residents in Duke Street. Mary is a consistent attendee at community flood meetings, where her local knowledge and concern for fellow residents is evident. She is a great asset to the local community.
Hinksey Park barriers
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.
Level crossing bridge removal
1 September 2009
No response yet to enquiries to Network Rail about their planned removal of the redundant level crossing bridge at Redbridge and when it will be done, so we have made a further enquiry today.
Railway access road, new culverts (4) – further progress
Railway access road, new culverts (3) – progress
18 August 2009
Work starting on the railway access road at Redbridge.
Railway access road, new culverts (2) – work begins
14 August 2009
MORE GOOD NEWS! Engineers have set up camp prior to work starting on the railway access road at Redbridge.
oxford flood alliance 