Tag Archives: flood defences

Flood scheme making steady progress

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The Environment Agency (EA) says it expects construction of the Oxford Flood Alleviation Scheme to start in late 2026. Following approval of the Compulsory Purchase Order by the Secretary of State in May 2025, the EA is in the process of acquiring the land, and rights over land, needed to construct the scheme. Over the summer the Agency tendered for a construction partner and they expect to announce the company selected by the end of the year. 

Outstanding issues

The project still needs to secure some approvals, including the formal planning permission. Oxfordshire County Council’s Planning and Regulation Committee resolved to grant planning permission last year, subject to the EA signing a Section 106 Agreement relating to biodiversity and habitat management and monitoring. The project team is working closely with the council to conclude this agreement, which they expect to do before the end of the year. The project will then need sign off on the Full Business Case from HM Treasury.

Community relations

The EA is planning to launch a Stakeholder Advisory Group to support engagement with residents. This group will be made up of local individuals who represent the community. They will provide advice and local insights as the project prepares for and begins construction.

The new construction partner will be appointing a Community Liaison Officer to ensure there is a named contact who can respond to immediate concerns relating to the construction site and escalate matters to the site manager and project team, as necessary. 

On site activity 

The project has been installing additional groundwater monitoring devices to collect groundwater data, and gauge boards to measure surface water levels. These will allow them to chart water levels before, during, and after construction of the scheme.

In August, a team surveyed for underground utilities, including electric cables and water and sewage pipes to prevent any disturbance of those assets while installing the new monitoring points.

More information about the scheme can be found here: Oxford Flood Alleviation Scheme | Engage Environment Agency

Flood exercise today

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The flood exercise mentioned in the last post, testing and demonstrating readiness to deploy defences, is under way today. In South Hinksey temporary barriers are being set up by the Environment Agency (EA). At Bullstake Close on the Botley Road the barriers there, which have been used before in a flood, will be erected; and fire crews are showing how the pipe which has been installed under the Botley Road can be used to deal with flood water and reduce the flooding of the road.

For South Hinksey this is a very reassuring demonstration of the ability to now defend the village from flooding. Such barriers have never been used here before.

Of course Oxford still needs a bigger, more permanent scheme – in the form of the Oxford Flood Alleviation Scheme. The OFA update in the previous post summarises the present position – the Scheme is under way, albeit delayed. In the meantime today’s activities show that we will not be without  protection in the interim.

Emma Howard-Boyd, Chair of the EA, and Sir James Bevan, Chief Executive, are in South Hinksey today to see what’s being done and meet the teams and there is no doubt that protecting Oxford in both the short and long term is being taken very seriously.

Our thanks to everyone who is working hard on behalf of the many local residents, businesses and other organisations affected by flooding.

Severe flooding in Yorkshire

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Exceptional rainfall has caused widespread and serious flooding in the north of England. It seems pretty clear (from this, and many other events worldwide) that climate change is happening here and now https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-50343977

Meanwhile in New South Wales a very different emergency, which again seems almost certain to be climate change related https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-australia-50341207

The list goes on.

Flood defences are sorely needed for Oxford’s river flooding, and more than ever now that we’re faced with more frequent extreme weather events. The Oxford Flood Alleviation Scheme is being developed to provide that defence.

 

 

Flooding on the way AGAIN? – government funding sorely needed

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24 November 2012

Today we’re watching river levels rise and fields flooding; it‘s still raining and more is forecast. Will properties flood again?

The Oxford Flood Strategy flood prevention scheme, produced by the Environment Agency after years of work, was going to cost £150 million. The government’s new partnership funding scheme, introduced subsequently, would provide 7% of the money required. 93%, about £140 million, would have to come from the County, the City, the Vale, businesses, and residents. That’s totally unrealistic.

Every flood costs a huge amount. Only government has sufficient capital to invest to stop this recurring problem. But the government doesn’t seem to appreciate that money spent on flood defences is money exceedingly well spent. In economic terms alone it’s TEN TIMES better value than the controversial HS2 rail scheme.

Changing weather patterns look set to make flooding more and more common. Throughout Holland defences are designed to limit flooding to once in 1000 years or better. The Oxford Flood Strategy offered 1 in 75-100 year protection; at present we have almost none.

This country could afford adequate flood defences if the political will were there. The government must grasp the issue, supplement the present funding scheme, and invest serious money. Failure to do so will cost far, far more. And that’s not counting the human misery.