The emergency flooding operation in west Oxfordshire has now shifted to getting people and businesses back to normal.

Latest information is that an estimated 1,500 residential properties were flooded in the district and some, in the Standlake and Kelmscott areas, are still under water.

A total of 60 residents were provided with temporary accommodation while another 150 were sent to rest centres. Yesterday there were still 17 residents, all evacuated from mobile homes at Bablockhythe, in alternative accommodation.

All in all, 40,000 sandbags were handed out during the four day peak of the flooding.

Now the district council, which has been co-ordinating the operation, has rushed out 6,000 leaflets with advice on the clean-up.

Council leader Barry Norton said: "Though there are still places still flooded, we are now into the clean-up phase and it is going to be a major operation.

"One of the big problems is that where the floodwaters have been there may be contamination from sewage, even where it has gone on to garden produce."

The leaflets offer residents advice on issues such as insurance, clearing up, reducing the risk of infection and mould, and food preparation and storage.

Leaflets for businesses also contain information about health and safety. Both leaflets have a list of useful contacts within the Council and other agencies.

A council Environmental Recovery Group has been set up and a special flood-damaged bulky waste collection service and are assisting with the clear-up in towns and villages. The flood-damaged collection service will continue up until Friday August 3 and can be booked on 01993 861000.

One of the worst hit places was Bridge Street in Witney where residents and businesses are now trying to get back to normal, drying out their properties and getting rid of damaged furnishings.

The refuse and recycling collection teams were unable to get out on Monday but are back to normal now that nearly all roads in the district are open.

Today Witney MP and Tory leader David Cameron, back after a two day trip to Rwanda, is visiting Standlake and Kelmscott. And this afternoon he was due to see the council depot at Station Lane, Witney, where much of the practical side of the emergency operation has been based.

Source: Witney Gazette