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27/10/07

New flood measures to be put in place
By Gordon Rogers
 

STREAMLINED emergency procedures need to be put in place following the July floods in the Abingdon area, according to a flooding emergency review carried out by the Vale of White Horse District Council in consultation with the public.

Its main findings were:

  • The district's emergency plan should be revised, with a team of trained officers with clear instructions
  • A better communication systems was needed
  • A properly-equipped control room should be set up, although preferably not at Abbey House, in Abingdon, which was used as the emergency centre in July
  • Plentiful supplies of sandbags should be available at short notice.

    More than 1,000 properties were affected by flooding in July and during the emergency more than 12,000 sandbags were given out.

    • Vale strategic director Tim Sadler said: "While the council worked extremely hard both during and after the floods to help those most in need, we felt it was important to learn from what happened.

    "An important part of the review involved interviewing and holding workshops for all staff who had been involved in our response to the floods to ask them for their views on what they thought had worked well and what we could have done better.

    "This review focused on how well the council carried out its duties and policies during the emergency. We are currently analysing the feedback we have received from members of the public."