News, July - Sept 2010

14 July 2010

Our response to the EA on their proposals for further short-term measures for Oxford.

Go to Publications  for South Oxford Flood Action Group (SOFAG)'s response. SOFAG is a member of the Alliance.

 

21 July 2010

The following is being circulated as a flyer to residents of Earl and Duke Streets and Bullstake Close. Links are being emailed to our extensive list of supporters.

Update from the Oxford Flood Alliance (OFA) on Progress in Reducing the Risk of Flooding of Earl and Duke Streets and Bullstake Close; July 2010

It is 3 years since the severe floods of July 2007, so it seems a good moment to report on progress made since then, but also to highlight a further project that requires the most urgent and determined action. OFA has worked hard, since November 2007, to make sure things have been done and we continue to do so....READ MORE ON THIS and the associated LAMARSH ROAD PLAN.

 

18 August 2010

We met the EA recently about the proposal to make Lamarsh Road the route for flood water rather than Earl Street. Further modelling has been done by the EA but  was not completed when we met. The modelling continues and we have asked this week for an update.

Our concern is that the model, on which decisions will be based, is completed, and a decision made, before the deadline of Kingerlee starting work on their site. Kingerlee are very cooperative but understandably have to proceed with their own work.

Our MP, Nicola Blackwood, is strongly supportive - but she too awaits a clear plan before she can make representations about funding.

We hope the EA will produce their advice in time. This has been under discussion for many months, it  is high time we had a clear opinion, advice, and a plan as appropriate, from the EA.

13 September 2010

We met with representatives of the EA, and both Oxford City and Oxfordshire County Councils last Friday, 10 September. We were shown the latest results from the computer model of flooding in the Botley Road area, developed by the EA in collaboration with City Council engineers. The effect of various interventions has been investigated.

 

The model suggests:

1. The existing Bullstake Close barrier, erected by the City Council to protect its properties there, will provide flood protection to properties to the south of the Botley Road at least to a 1 in 25 year flood level (the worst of the floods in recent years, in 2007, was about that level).

 

2. Creating a road hump at the north end of  Earl Street would protect the street from inundation (ie becoming a river) up to the same level. This will be done, by the County Council. The street will have to be closed to traffic throughout the work - the County will be consulting with residents about this. While there will inevitably be temporary inconvenience while the work is done, the benefits in flood risk reduction will be very well worth it.

 

3. A barrier across the alleyway in Duke Street would give further protection to Duke and Earl Streets, from floodwater coming from the Bulstake Stream behind the houses on the east side of Duke Street. The County hope to do this work, subject to discussions and agreement with the owners of the adjacent houses.

 

4. Floodwater would still be able to enter the rear of properties on the east of Duke Street direct from Bulstake Stream as it has in the past. - and not only flood those houses but then move on to flood people on the other side of the street and in Earl Sreet. This could be remedied in various ways - ranging from a permanent earth bank (bund) along the gardens of all the houses backing onto the stream, to individual house measures such as flood doors and airbrick covers, to sandbags. Please note that residents will be fully consulted about the options and that action can and will only be taken if people agree. It seems unlikey that everyone would agree to a garden barrier (and it would have to be in every garden without a break for it to work of course) even though this would give the best protection. Individual house measures on the other hand might a very different matter as they would protect the house itself first and foremost. It is possible (not certain) that money may become available to help householders buy the necessary protection. There'd need to be a community plan for placing protection if people were away or for any other reason unable to do it themselves when flooding threatened.

OFA will be working with the EA and the CIty on this. At last Friday's meeting we suggested that maybe the EA come to our OFA annual Public Meeting - which will probably be in November - to present the options to residents and get their reactions. This isn't decided on yet but may well happen.

 

5. Lowering the highest part of Lamarsh Road would not confer further benefit in a 1 in 25 year or smaller flood. Beyond that it is not clear how much benefit it might provide. The cost of lowering is now said to be 500,000. We are sceptical about that remarkanbly round sum: it has gone up and down like a yo-yo over the weeks - as low as 200,000 not long ago. OFA believes that there should be further consideration, that we should perhaps talk directly to Kingerlee, and that we should try to ensure that roads are built so as to allow the work to be done later even  if it is not done now.

25 September 2010     Keith Hutchence, our new Flood Star

We have been pleased to invite Keith Hutchence, our main contact with the Environment Agency, to become our fourth Flood Star. OFA's Flood Star awards recognise an exceptional contribution to the work of flood risk reduction in our area. Keith will be presented with the award at our Annual Public Meeting in November. We have only awarded one Flood Star this year - see here why  we chose Keith Hutchence.