News, Jan - March 2010

19 January 2010

From our man in Kennington: "Network Rail have started the work to clear the concrete bridge." This is the redundant level crossing bridge at Redbridge which obstructs Hinksey Drain. It is the final one of the three pinchpoints at Redbridge, that we highlighted in 2007, to be dealt with. Very good news indeed! Photos to follow if we can get access.

 

20 January 2010

We are well on with producing our proposals for further Medium-Term Flood Measures for Oxford (see 22 Dec). Following a meeting last week of OFA's Steering Group and our Allies from all parts of Oxford and surrounding area, everybody's contributions are being assembled into a final document. We have decided how to present this. By the end of the month launch plans should be finalised. We believe that our suggestions will offer real hope of further significant reduction of flood risk - keeping more people dry in their homes and businesses.

 

21 January 2010

A visit to see the good work Network Rail are doing removing the redundant level crossing bridge. See 19 January below. Well, they are getting on fast and  hope to be finished early next week. A BIG THANK YOU to Network Rail for helping to keep us all dry. Photos here.

 

16  March 2010  

‘Building on  Success’

is the name we've chosen for our new suggestions for reducing further the risk of flooding of the City of Oxford and the surrounding area.

The title reflects the real improvements since 2007 - but that at the same time there is more to be done. Our suggestions are modest, achievable and we believe are very good value for money. It’s not doing them that will be seen to be expensive when the heavy rains come again, as, inevitably, they will.

 

Reducing flooding is important for the whole community:

 

 • flooded individuals and flooded families, who may be out of their

   homes for months

 • businesses out of action or their trade affected

 • travel disrupted, difficulties in getting to work and getting about

   by road and rail

 • power cuts

 • emergency services at full stretch

 • huge financial costs for individuals and businesses who are flooded

 • huge financial costs for everybody else - costs to commerce, to City, District     and County Councils, and nationally.

 

A city that keeps flooding is expensive and bad for everybody. That's why we're asking organisations who up to now have had nothing directly to do with flooding to join us in trying to keep Oxford dry. We don’t yet know for sure, but climate change may well make flooding worse.

 

We're holding a meeting next week to launch our suggestions. We've invited people from various authorities and Oxford groups. We're asking politicians, at all levels, to help us. We'll let you know what they say and how we get on.

 

You can download a copy of 'Building on Success' from Publications.

 

30 January 2010

The OFA Flood Blackspot of July 2009 was the Hinksey Stream from North Hinksey to Redbridge, which badly needed clearing. This has now been done by the Environment Agency. It looks very much better. Before and after photos here.

 

31 January 2010

Work has begun on the next stage to help Earl and Duke Streets, Oxford. Thames Water, in conjunction with Oxfordshire County ... more and photos.

 

01 February 2010

The three main pinchpoints at Redbridge have now been dealt with. Last to go, the level crossing bridge which was obstructing the Main River at Redbridge known as Hinksey Drain (see 21 January item), has now been completely removed by Network Rail. There are some more photos here.