Osney Mill is on the east bank of the Thames, just below Osney Bridge. It has been out of action for many years. The owners, the Munsey family, are going to develop the old mill building as flats. In January 2009 they applied for Planning Permission to generate hydroelectric power for this development by installing an Archimedean screw turbine in the old mill race. OFA has noted that this provides an opportunity to increase flow of water at same time. We have visited the site and met the owners, and have written to Oxford City Council, the planning authority, asking that consideration be given to maximising this benefit.

We have also made representations to the Environment Agency that they do what they can to make the most of this chance.

 

Low Carbon West Oxford, a community group concerned with developing local solutions to reduce the community's carbon footprint, are also hoping to develop a hydroelectric scheme, on the west bank of the Thames opposite the mill. They envisage that this will also increase conveyance of water so providing some further flood risk reduction. We are discussing a joint project looking at land use in the river valleys west of Oxford. Longer term changes to farming practices could help reduce the speed at which rain water runs off into the Thames.

 

Ferry Hinksey Electric Substation

We are contacting the Electricity company to make sure that this supply is protected to a 1 in 100 year flood level. We are also checking with the Fire Service that they are satisfied with this.

 

South Oxford, Abingdon Road area

We have links with the South Oxford Flood Action Group (SOFAG) which covers this area. For details contact David Pepper dmpepper@brookes.ac.uk

 

South Hinksey

Should benefit from the removal of the three pinchpoints at Redbridge. Clearance work is to be undertaken by the EA on Hinksey Stream during the coming financial year. The Parish Council is working with local landowners and the Probation Service to get ditches cleared where necessary.

 

Thames banks at Godstow

The western bank of the Thames below Godstow Lock is in poor repair and worse after each flooding episode. We have discussed this with the Environment Agency who are assessing what impact this has and what should be done.