Hugh's report from meeting on 6th

The following report is from Hugh - please read before filling in the questionnaire from Thames Water!

On Tuesday 6^th March I met with a team of people on our road who had been pulled together by Angel Council Cristofoli, our area co-ordinator at Oxford City. The group included Thames Water (3 people), two councillors, people from Highways, Parks and Drainage. We talked about where the flooding had occurred and when – they showed me a map (I think from the hydrological survey that has still to be made public) that indicated the areas of flood risk. Interestingly our road sticks out into the flood like a pier! Also the map showed the Lark Rise playing fields and the meadow behind the old peoples’ home as flooded. I pointed out that both of these points were errors.

Then we walked through the park, stopping along the way to look at the areas of concern. Obviously the park brook’s intersection with Boundary Brook is a key point. As soon as Boundary gets full, there is no way the park brook can empty into it, so it comes our way! What they can do about it, I don’t know, but they are now very aware of that problem.

Further up Boundary Brook we saw a few other pinch points – points that have actually assisted us in recent floods. For example, when Cowley and Marsh Road flooded last year – that was all water that could have ended up with us.

And this was a point that we all took on board. If the problem at Marsh Road is made better, without reference to the bigger picture, then we will get more flooding. And likewise, if we improve things for ourselves here, then perhaps Meadow Lane will suffer. It was agreed that it would be very useful for everyone to look at a large map of the area and indicate where the problems are. Piecemeal solutions will not work.

Walking back – all the way to the Iffley Road, engineers pointed out that Larkrise playing fields can’t flood as they are so much higher than the brook. I pointed out that St Greg’s playing fields used to flood – people were unsure about how effective the tanks they claim to have put in will be at mimicking natural flooding. Also – the brook near the end of our road is less sloping than further down – I was shown the build up of gravel and silt near the bridge – while a little further down towards Iffley Road there is no silt. This is because the water is moving faster. Is this important?

Someone is going to see if the tunnel under the Iffley Road really is a constraint on flow – and whether that might be exacerbating the situation.

All in all it was a very valuable time – if for nothing other than bringing so many of the different parties who are responsible together. I think that gentle pressure will go a long way in reminding all of them that we are still here and have no plans to go away!

The next step? We get to have a look at the hydrological plan – hopefully soon – and then perhaps we can see an end to the periodic stress and misery of flooding.