| Floods: A year on |
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A YEAR on from last summer's disastrous flooding, and there are still more than 90 householders out of their homes in Witney and West Oxfordshire. Some businesses are also still in relocated premises, including several in Bridge Street, which bore the brunt of an angry River Windrush pouring over the top of the only river bridge crossing in Witney. As the anniversary of the 2007 July weekend approaches - flooding, which eventually left a total of 1,631 homes and 73 businesses under some level of water - the Gazette looks at what has been done to alleviate the damage in future. In essence, it is a painstaking process of building up detailed information on all flood flash points in the district. A programme of clearing ditches, including landowners, is well under way. There is also an emphasis on self-help, with householders and businesses getting grants for items like flood gates for their doors. A better warning system is also in place. Morag and Peter Crowther, whose piano business as well as their home in Bridge Street was flooded last summer, have already received warning messages from the Environment Agency. Mrs Crowther said: "We had several messages on our mobile and landline last week when the rain was hard and the river was high. It's reassuring, because it gives you a little more time. We had none last year. We have also had a £1,200 grant to fit flood gates and down here everybody has battens and boards. "Last July, the river was like a tidal wave, it was bizarre, but everybody's thinking it could happen again. We're certainly in no mood for a street party to celebrate a year on." At least three families are still out of their homes in Bridge Street, including Nick and Heather Pike, who have spent almost a year in temporary accommodation. Relics antique business is still relocated at Crawley Mill, while workmen repair the Bridge Street shop. The total bill from last July's damage in West Oxfordshire has not been estimated, but it is believed to run into many millions of pounds. The main problem has been getting contractors to carry out repairs because of the heavy demand. West Oxfordshire District Council is in the forefront of an ongoing review of action to alleviate future flooding. David Harvey, district council cabinet member for the environment, said this week: "A great deal of hard work has gone into producing a wealth of information that will help us to ensure that every possible measure is taken to prevent a recurrence of last year's tragic events. Mr Harvey said: "In the long term, many different people have a role to play at different levels in setting the policies and actions that will stand us in good stead." The council has cleared all ditches on its own maintained land at a cost of more than £50,000, and is liaising with the 83 parishes for individual flood action plans. The first 12 reports on these were published last month, and a further 43 are in the pipeline for August. Detailed maps of areas at flood risk have been drawn up to pinpoint landowners who, in principle, can be forced to carry out dredging and clearing of ditches and watercourses. Mr Harvey added that planning application systems were being reviewed to ensure flood preventative measures were in place for new development schemes. Source: Witney Gazette |
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