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| Witney, July 21: People demand more money for the prevention of future floods |
THE overwhelming majority of people who suffered flooding in West Oxfordshire in July want to see Government money spent on future prevention.
One of the key areas of action they are asking for is regular clearance of ditches and watercourses, believed to be a major source of flooding not just in rural areas like Clanfield, but Witney's Burwell Farm estate.
The message has been given to the district council on application forms sent out to an estimated 1,600 householders, who qualified for hardship money under the Government's flood recovery grant scheme.
The council is paying out £250 per home from £623,500 given to the district under the scheme - the lion's share of the allocation for Oxfordshire.
The council's cabinet decided on Wednesday last week to take the public's advice and use some of the remainder - £50,000 - on immediate ditch and drainage clearance.
A further £75,000 is to be spent bringing in specialist engineering staff to help carry out a West Oxfordshire strategic flooding review, looking at other flood alleviation measures.
The council's head of street scene, Phil Page, said prevention measures to reduce the risk of future flooding are a priority.
He added that the measures needed 'to mitigate against the on-going effects of climate change and impacts on local communities'.
He said: "One of the key concerns is the maintenance of ditches. This is a complex issue, and involves tracking down the owners of pockets of land, who are often unaware of any obligations or duties."
Landowners who refuse to co-operate and are clearly placing properties at risk could find themselves brought before the courts under enforcement action.
David Harvey, cabinet member for the environment, said tracking down landowners can be difficult, but 'something needs to be done'.
He added: "Flooding can result from highways run-off, overflowing ditches, watercourses or rivers, and water coming up from drains.
"Therefore, different organisations, such as the Environment Agency, county council, and Thames Water, need to be involved in finding solutions."
Link to West Oxfordshire District Council - Cabinet Meeting Minutes - 10 October 2007 http://www.westoxon.gov.uk/files/minutes/2270.pdf
