Over four million litres of water have been pumped every 24 hours, as part Oxford City Council’s response to the latest flooding in the city over the past week.
Water levels across Oxford started to rise from 3 January, following heavy rainfall. This resulted in flood warnings across Oxford and Oxfordshire.
In response, Oxford City Council has worked with ODS, the Environment Agency, Oxfordshire County Council highways, the Police, Scottish & Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN), Thames Water and many other organisations – including neighbouring councils across the Thames Valley, to help tackle the flooding.
The City Council and ODS have – and continue to – work tirelessly to monitor and manage the flooding situation within the city.
As their work continues, a snapshot of their work over the past few days, can be found below:
- ODS has installed around 106 metres of flood protection at Bullstake Close – made up of 95m of solid flood barrier, 11m of sandbags, and pumps to protect the properties and keep the Botley Road open. This does not include additional flood barriers also deployed by the Environment Agency.
- Over 4 million (4,320,000) litres of water have been pumped every 24-hour period at Bullstake Close alone.
- Over 4,000 sandbags have been distributed to vulnerable people and households at risk of flooding. In addition, around 4,000 sandbags and 40 tonnes of sand (equivalent to 90 grand pianos) have been made available at Redbridge Park & Ride’s self-serve sandbag station.
- Over 70 members of staff from the Council and ODS have worked in response to the flooding – many of whom have worked through nights and over the weekend to support Oxford residents.
- Council staff reached out to 140 Council homes that were at risk of flooding and worked with those who needed assistance or who had special requirements.
- ODS took effective action to protect properties and reduce the risk of flooding by installing barriers and sandbags in the worst affected areas, and once they were installed monitored them 24 hours a day. ODS were out and about across Oxford and on call 24/7 to respond to incidents, including pumping out water to clear water from roads, and cleaning up.
As a result, only four homes in Oxford have been flooded, with Council officers, Councillors, and ODS staff offering assistance to those impacted. One family has been put into hotel accommodation until water levels fall.
ODS also offered help to residents at Bullstake Close, Vicarage Road, Binsey Lane, Ferry Road Abingdon Road, and Botley Road.
Footpaths along the city’s waterways were flooded and dangerous, with the edge of paths completely obscured, cross currents and strong flow rates. ODS installed signs across Oxford’s towpaths to warn people of the danger and the Council used social media to reinforce the message that flooded paths should be avoided.
With water levels starting to recede, the next stage is recovery, and the Council will be continuing to work closely with partners to ensure both effective mopping up of the detritus left from flooding, as will be considering any further lessons on Oxford’s response to the flooding.
The Council is also in discussion with Government and liaising with the neighbouring local authorities to see if the Government's flooding financial assistance scheme may be applied in Oxfordshire.
Updates on the flooding situation in Oxford continue to be shared on the Council’s social media and dedicated flooding webpage.
Northway and Marston Flood Alleviation Scheme
In 2016, the Council completed the £2.2m Northway and Marston Flood Alleviation Scheme. The project saw water channels realigned, natural embankments installed, and temporary flood water storage areas created in Northway Field and Court Place Farm Recreation Ground.
The Northway and Marston Flood Alleviation Scheme was delivered by Oxford City Council after successfully winning funding from the Environment Agency (£1.6m) and Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (£600,000).
Following the scheme, in the event of torrential rain, water is channeled into the three temporary flood water storage areas, and then released into the drainage system and waterways at a pace they can cope with.
The scheme is estimated to have reduced significant surface water flash flooding risk from around 110 homes in the area.
Oxford Flood Alleviation Scheme
Oxford City Council is also a strong supporter of the Oxford Flood Alleviation Scheme, including contributing land and funding towards enable its construction.
Working with the natural floodplain to the west of Oxford, the proposed scheme will create a new stream meandering through a gently sloping floodplain of grazing meadow with wildflowers and wetland. When water levels in the River Thames are high, the stream will start to fill its floodplain, reducing flood risk to built-up areas of the city.
The scheme will reduce flood risk to all properties in Oxford currently at risk of flooding from the River Thames, as well as to the railway, local roads including Botley and Abingdon Road.
“I want to offer my thanks and gratitude to everyone who has worked to address the flooding in Oxford over the past few days and has helped to keep people, homes, and businesses safe.
“Oxford City Council is committed to tackling flooding as it happens, however the strongest measure is prevention through flood alleviation schemes such as the Northway and Marston scheme, and the proposed Oxford Flood Alleviation Scheme. Flood events like the one we are experiencing right now demonstrate why these initiatives are so important for our city.”
Councillor Nigel Chapman, Cabinet Member for Citizen Focused Services and Council Companies at Oxford City Council
“I am incredibly proud of our staff who showed unwavering commitment and hard work during the recent floods. Working alongside colleagues from the Environment Agency and Oxford City Council, their tireless efforts ensured the safety of people and properties in our communities, during what was a very challenging time.”
Simon Howick, Managing Director at ODS
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