Gloucester City Council to adopt sandbag policy

Wednesday, November 12, 2008, 08:00

Homeowners have been warned that they have responsibility for protecting their home from flooding as the Gloucester City Council prepares to adopt a sandbag policy.

During emergencies the delivery of sandbags will be considered on a prioritised basis to residential properties at significant risk of imminent flooding.

The policy was discussed at a meeting of Gloucester City Council overview and scrutiny committee.

Chief Executive of Gloucester City Council, Julian Wain, said: "The report has two purposes – one is to establish with clarity what our position on issuing sandbags is and the other is to reject a couple of alternative options that were considered.

"You have the power to issue sandbags but don't have a duty to do so. You have a duty to advise.

"There was a view prior to the policy that the council does not provide sandbags. That would have been untenable during the last 12 months.

"But sandbags have limited practical value. In some circumstances they are extremely beneficial and in others less so."

He told councillors: "The logistics are that this authority or any authority in the country would be unable to meet demand – in the turmoil of a busy situation when water is rising it isn't practicable to give them everywhere in the quantities people want.

"Sandbags do not provide an impermeable barrier. We do advise householders not to rely solely on the provision of sandbags. They are ultimately responsible for protecting their households.

"Everybody in this room knows it isn't easy to predict what will happen when and where.

"We will prioritise and assess the risk as much as we can in advance but also react to the situation we face on the ground."

There is a list of just under 1,000 vulnerable properties and areas that have already flooded and these will be used to assess the risk as will circumstances at the time.

The list is for the city council's internal use only.

Coun Kathy Williams (C, Longlevens) said: "It is all about education and informing people. We are trying to make our communities more resilient, not just with flooding but with all emergencies.

"It is about identifying vulnerable people in the area."

The policy will go before Gloucester City Council cabinet for approval tonight.

This Saturday a flood advice and emergency information event, is taking place at Gloucester Rugby Club, Kingsholm Road between 10am until 4pm.

Residents who were flooded in July 2007, can claim the £500 Flood Protection Grant, which is still available from Gloucester City Council.