Flood work warning issued (From Witney Gazette)

Flood work warning issued

7:50am Friday 11th January 2008 in Witney By David Horne

LANDOWNERS will be told to clear drainage ditches or have it done for them to avoid repeats of last summer's floods in west Oxfordshire.

The district council is unveiling a report on the July floods and how to lessen damage in future on Monday.

A key feature is a proposal to force landowners to fulfil their obligations to keep ditches clear.

Blocked ditches, which failed to clear water during torrential rain, were thought to be one of the key causes of floods that hit more than 1,600 properties in the area.

If landowners do not carry out the work, the council says it will bring in contractors and pass the bill on.

By March the council wants the Environment Agency and Met Office to come up with a better early warning system, including computerised measurements of river levels on the River Windrush and the Evenlode.

In Witney, Bridge Street and part of High Street were overwhelmed after the July downpour when the Windrush burst its banks.

Several businesses in the town are still waiting to return to their premises six months later. In all, more than 100 businesses in the district were affected.

Furniture restoration firm Relics had to move from Witney to the Crawley Mill industrial estate to stay in business.

Director Kate Pollard said: "We don't expect to be back in Bridge Street until May or June. The whole concrete floor has to be taken up, because it's supported by rotting timbers.

"Anything that gives us more warning in future has to be welcomed."

Peter and Morag Crowther, who run a piano shop in Bridge Street, have been able to stay open - and have a backlog of restoration work on pianos damaged by the deluge.

Mrs Crowther said: "What we're looking for in future is some better kind of protection."

The 45-page council report is the result of an inquiry into the causes and effects of the flooding.

A full operational flood plan, including details of emergency action, will be in place by April, along with an enforcement policy to get landowners to maintain drains and watercourses.

Council leader Barry Norton said: "By having an inquiry, we're acting in a responsible manner to ensure that we have the best possible plans in place to deal with similar events in the future."

The Vale of White Horse was the second worst-affected area in the floods, with 570 properties hit. The council has already carried out a review and made recommendations for action.