Flood News and information for Oxford residents update... Autumn 2012

Welcome to the Eighth issue of Flood Update, keeping you informed of how the Oxford Area Flood Partnership is working with the community to reduce the risk of flooding.

The Oxford Area Flood Partnership 2012 OPEN FORUM Tuesday 16 October 2012 (Invitation on back page)

Full backing for Kennington flood scheme

Thames Water is coordinating a £1m scheme to reduce the risk of both surface water and river flooding in Kennington and Oxford. Working with the Environment Agency, Oxford City Council, the Vale of White Horse District Council, Oxfordshire County Council and Network Rail the scheme will improve the conveyance of the river system through south and west Oxford and reduce the risk of surface water flooding in Kennington. Work ABOVE: Thames Water and Optimise at the Kennington flood alleviation scheme community drop-in day. Representatives is due to start this autumn and finish in the from Oxfordshire County Council, Vale of White Horse District summer of 2013. Council, Oxford City Council and the Environment Agency The scheme includes extensive works to improve the were also in attendance. Jonathan Wickens, Thames Water’s capacity of the Hinksey Drain, removing silt from contracts manager said that the majority of people we spoke beneath Munday’s railway bridge and the channel to on the day appreciated the long term benefits of the downstream. A new flood relief overflow channel scheme and worth the short term disruption. will be cut over land south of the Redbridge waste reception centre. A new surface water sewer will also be installed from Kennington Road to the Hinksey Drain. The scheme is being managed by Optimise Ltd, a joint venture between Thames Water, Montgomery Watson (Consultants) and Murphy (Contractors).

Exercise Watermark the Government responds

The Government published its response in July to the Exercise Watermark Final Report. The report explains the findings of the National Review Team and makes 36 recommendations to the Government on being prepared for an emergency incident response. continued on page 2...... continued from front page: Exercise Oxford Exercise Watermark Day Watermark the Government responds wins Best Community Event The Government has responded to the key themes from the recommendations that they were asked to consider. The Government says that; “The success of Exercise Watermark demonstrates that England and Wales are now better prepared for flood”. Their response sets out some of the work that has been undertaken to date in response to the lessons identified from the exercise. The response can be found at: http://www. defra.gov.uk/publications/2011/10/31/ pb13673-exercise-watermark/

In March 2011, Exercise Watermark was held nationally to test the Possible UK’s state of preparation for severe flooding. It was the largest civil defence preparedness exercise ever arranged in England and Wales, agreement on with 125 community events aimed at raising awareness of flooding and the ways in which people can protect themselves and their the future of property. flood insurance The National Watermark Team presented Thames Valley Local Resilience Forum with the “Best Community Event” award for the community day it The Government has revealed details of a possible agreement with the held at the Kings Centre in Oxford. More than 150 people came from 65 British insurance industry over the community groups, flood groups, parish and town councils. Participants were future of flood insurance. able to review and test existing flood and emergency plans and share advice with other groups. And many more communities are now strengthening their July 2013 will mark the end of the community resilience by producing new emergency plans. insurance industry’s current agreement with Government to guarantee flood Stephanie Dance-Groom (from Oxfordshire County Council’s Emergency cover in standard home insurance. Planning Unit) said “The brilliant response from local communities on the Significant advances in flood risk mapping day was what made it such a great success”. and forecasting now enable insurers to more accurately ascribe risk to individual properties, so potentially increasing The new culverts beneath Willow premiums and excess payments to those at Environment Walk in West Oxford came into highest risk. operation for the first time after The Government is committed to achieving Agency’s new the wettest April for more than 100 an affordable system for most owners of years. The photograph was taken homes in flood zones, so is continuing culverts are by Andy Webber from West Oxford. negotiations with the insurance industry. A put to the test The culverts were constructed by deal is said to be close. the Environment Agency as part of a The full statement can be found at: www. package of measures that have been parliament.uk/documents/commons- installed over the last five years. vote-office/July_2012/11-07-12/5. DEFRA-Update-on-managing-the- Andy Webber said “The spring impact-of-flooding.pdf flooding was far from the scale West Oxford experienced If you experience problems insuring in the summer of 2007, but your property against flood risk, the Government information guide it was gratifying to see the “Obtaining flood insurance in high measures that the Oxford Flood risk areas” will help you find a suitable Alliance campaigned for come policy. The guide can be found at: www. into operation.” Visit www. defra.gov.uk/publications/2012/07/19/ environment-agency.gov.uk pb13082-flood-insurance New enforcement powers for the County Council The Oxfordshire County Council now has powers to safeguard flood defence structures The Flood and Water Management Act (S30 and Schedule1) now allows the County Council and District Councils to designate structures that contribute to flood defence. Those structures can include banks, walls or even houses. Owners will remain responsible for maintenance, but will need to apply to the County Council for consent before altering or demolishing any designated structure, to ensure that its defensive role is not reduced. Gordon Hunt (the County Drainage Engineer) said: “This is the latest step in the implementation of the Flood and Water Management Act. It will enable my team together with the assistance of colleagues in the District Councils to safeguard important flood risk management structures”. Autumn is a good time to check your flood kit. Make sure it’s up to date and In many cases owners may not be aware that their property has a flood replace those borrowed batteries. defence role, however formal designation may not be necessary as it will often be in an owner’s interest retain the structure. Essential flood kit: Property owners can find more information about the designation and appeal process in the Designation of Features Regulations at: • Keep a mobile phone loaded with www.defra.gov.uk/environment/flooding/legislation important contact numbers • Your card “How to Prepare for Enforcement powers over structures in ordinary Flooding” watercourses also move to the County Council • Working radio and spare batteries The Flood and Water Management Act (S31 and Schedule2) has transferred • Working Torch and spare batteries regulatory powers over new structures (including culverts) on ordinary • First aid kit watercourses from the Environment Agency to Oxfordshire County Council (the • Prescription for any medicines Lead Local Flood Authority) The EA role continues on designated main rivers. • Copies of important documents in Gordon Hunt (the County Drainage Engineer) said: “Residents don’t always a durable and sealable plastic bag appreciate that local watercourses and dry ditches, are important in the (including driver’s licence, insurance effective drainage of their area. Filling in or culverting ditches can cause and bank/credit card information, flooding in their own and neighbouring property. It is important to apply family and other contact information) for prior consent so that my team can give appropriate advice to owners”. Where new unconsented structures are discovered the County Council will • Warm clothing, sturdy shoes/boots and use their new enforcement powers to have them removed. Gorden Hunt blankets said: “the transfer of consenting and enforcement duties on non-main river • Personal hygiene and sanitation watercourses welcome. It removes an anomaly in the old land drainage supplies legislation and will, for the first time, enable the County Council to take a • Comfort items for children (books, leading role in protecting the City’s existing land drainage assets”. games and toys) Useful Contacts Thames Water Keep your 0845 920 0800 www.thameswater.co.uk flood card Environment Agency 0800 807060 handy! www.environment-agency.gov.uk Oxford City Council have Environment Agency Floodline updated the flood card: “Your 0845 988 1188 Guide on How to Prepare for www.environment-agency.gov.uk/ Flooding” floodsoutheast We have reprinted and distributed Oxford City Council Call Centre the card this year to property inside the flood zones mapped by 01865 249811 the Environment Agency. You can www.oxford.gov.uk find the flood zone maps on the Oxford Flood Alliance: Environment Agency’s website: [email protected] www.environment-agency.gov. www.oxfordfloodalliance.org.uk uk and look for “Flood map” on the home and leisure page. Oxfordshire County Highways The leaflet is a handy A5 format 0845 310 1111 for you to keep safe should you www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/roads become aware of the possibility of flooding and need to refer to British Waterways it. If you did not received one you 01908 302500 can get a copy from the Oxford 0800 479 9947 (Out of hours) City Council website or telephone www.britishwaterways.co.uk 01865 252 770. Network Rail 08457 114 141 www.networkrail.co.uk Residents of Oxford and the surrounding areas of Botley, South Hinksey, North Hinksey, Kennington and Wytham… National Flood Forum 01299 403055 …are invited to www.floodforum.org.uk The Oxford Area Flood Partnership Flood Protection Association 2012 OPEN FORUM 0844 335 8457 Oxford Town Hall www.floodprotectionassociation.co.uk Tuesday 16 October 2012, 7 – 9pm

If you are at risk of flooding call After a short presentation on the OAFP’s work, you Floodline on 0845 988 1188 will have the opportunity to put your questions to the Partners themselves: who will provide advice and also register you for automated flood warnings. • Environment Agency • Oxfordshire County Council To find out if your property is in an area • Oxford City Council at risk of flooding visit the Environment • Vale of White Horse District Council Agency’s website: • Thames Water www.environment-agency.gov.uk • Network Rail and look for Flood map on the home and For more information telephone 01865 252770 leisure page.