1,051 Witney homes are still at risk (From Witney Gazette)

1,051 Witney homes are still at risk

2:00pm Tuesday 22nd July 2008 in Witney By David Horne

THE Environment Agency has revealed this week that a total of 1,051 properties in Witney are still at risk from flooding.

It has released the information, along with a list of actions it has taken or is planning to take, to mark the anniversary of last July's devastating floods.

The homes and businesses are all situated on low-lying land, where flooding can be expected in the town in exceptional circumstances.

Twelve months ago, the agency said that about 220 properties had been affected. Some are still waiting to move back in after repairs.

The agency came in for some criticism after the floods, when it became clear that much of it was down to silted-up rivers and ditches. Gazette readers said they remembered a time when dredging was carried out on a regular basis.

Even this week, town businessman Alan Morgan, of accountants Morgan Harris, 114 High Street, said he could not believe it has taken so long for the agency to dredge the River Windrush.

"It's been a year after the terrible flooding over the bridge in Bridge Street. We are an upstairs office, but the downstairs was flooded. There doesn't seem to have been a sense of urgency," he said. Heather Vaile, principal communications officer for the agency's Thames region, has countered by saying that a lot of work has been done in the past 12 months, including more than 100 flood plans.

For householders, it has also set up a direct flood watch service, via telephone and email, warning when low-lying land is expected to flood. In Witney, so far only 59 properties have signed up.

Other key areas in the town which were badly hit last July were Burwell Meadow and Hailey Road. Run-off in Burwell Meadow was hindered by blockages further down the drainage system, forcing water into many homes. It is down to Oxfordshire County Council to clear the culvert near the A40 Witney bypass.

In June this year, 17-year-old Max Sullivan-Webb died when he was trapped in a culvert taking flash rainwater from fields at the back of Eastfield Road. The agency says that a study into the creation of flood storage, or balancing lakes, is not expected to be completed until October this year.

Anyone who wants to find out if they are at risk of flooding is asked to check the website environment-agency.gov.uk/flood, and to call the agency floodline, on 0845 988 1188, to register for warnings with a quick dial number.