4 August 2009
We have just had confirmation that the Environment Agency’s contractors are due to move onto site next week for the work on the railway access road, Redbridge, Point 3. They will be based on land just north of the old Abingdon Road. This is the biggest piece of flood-related work to be done in the area since the work at Towle’s Mill in 2006-07. It is expected to take about 13 weeks. New large culverts will replace the totally inadequate existing small bridge.
30 July 2009
Members of South Hinksey Parish Council and Peter Rawcliffe of OFA met on site in the village with Peter Dela, Chief Engineer for the Vale of White Horse District Council. Under discussion was the provision of culverts under a raised causeway which leads to the electricity substation on the edge of the village. The causeway dams back water, causing pooling right beside the village early in flood events. Now that Redbridge is being opened up there is a real prospect of getting water away early, so provision of these culverts is important. Hopefully permissions from the landowner and farmer and EA approval will be forthcoming. There seems every prospect that funding will be available from the District Council.
29 July 2009
Peter Rawcliffe of OFA visited the site today but no sign of any action yet at the redundant level crossing bridge in north Kennington. We’ll see if we can get an update from Network Rail.
28 July 2009
Adrian Long, Director of Communications for the EA visited Oxford with Geoff Bell (EA) and met with Nick Hills of OFA. Talk was of the benefits to all concerned of collaborative working, good communications (of course!) and getting the various agencies to work together.
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.
19 July 2009
Work may start soon at one of the Redbridge pinch-points, a redundant level crossing bridge on the Hinksey Drain.
This pinch-point was identified by OFA; Network Rail will remove the bridge.
16 July 2009
Andy Webber made a presentation on behalf of OFA to the Oxford Area Flood Partnership (OAFP).
OFA’s principal message was to stress the importance of capitalising on the work already done in clearing the Seacourt/Hinksey Stream from the Botley Road to The Fishes in North Hinksey – and the work which has been or is about to be done to remove serious pinchpoints at Redbridge. The Hinksey Stream between these two areas must now be cleared of obstructions, so allowing the good work already done to have maximum benefit.
Our message was well received. The EA is a principal player in this – the local EA team agree how important this work is and are keen to see it done. Let us hope funding is made available.
10 July 2009
Susanna Pressel, City and County Councillor, has been very supportive of the flood-stricken residents in West Oxford since 2000, the first of the three recent floods. She’s been present at most, if not all, of the numerous meetings held by and on behalf of the various executive agencies and has shown a keen interest in the activities of OFA since our formation in November 2007. Susanna has actively promoted relevant initiatives and was instrumental in the installation of the permanent pumps in Earl Street. She is currently involved in the provision of a flood barrier that will help to protect the residents of Bullstake Close, affording, it is hoped, secondary protection to Earl and Duke Streets as well. It was good to see her, most recently, at the OAFP meeting in July and lending her voice to the EA’s in-house video of their Communications Director Adrian Long’s visit to Nick Hills’ house in Earl Street (28 July).
24 June 2009
Following the presentation (see 3 June 2009), the NRG has asked a number of questions and the OFRMS team is in the process of responding.
3 June 2009
Following the public consultation the National Review Group (NRG) of the Environment Agency, an internal EA group, is considering the major long-term flood scheme for Oxford, the Oxford Flood Risk Management Strategy (OFRMS). A presentation, which we contributed to by helping with video clips, was made today. As soon as we hear the outcome we will let you know. Even if they give the ok, the scheme will still be a long way from being confirmed. There will be further detailed design work, more public consultation and then the biggest hurdle, submission to the government of the day for funding.
oxford flood alliance 