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Christmas Eve flooding after heavy rain
24/12/2020
Mill Arts Centre amongst properties affected by flood water
Christmas Eve flooding is causing problems in a number of places around the Banbury FM area. The Mill Arts Centre has been forced to cancel today’s performance of Snow Play. The new supermarket development on the site of the old Spiceball Sports Centre is currently surrounded by water.
In Adderbury, properties next to the Lucy Plackett Playing Field were forced to place sandbags around their doors as water from the Sor Brook broke the river’s banks and flooded gardens.
The Environment Agency has put out flood warnings for a number of local areas following yesterday’s heavy rain. Cherwell District Council says it is aware of flooding in Banbury and Bicester.
In Banbury water has surrounded the Mill Arts Centre. Staff posted a message on their Facebook page which said: “We’re very sorry to say that today’s performances of Snow Play have been cancelled due to flooding at The Mill. This affects the live and live streamed performances scheduled at 10:30am and 2pm, as well as the online workshop at 12pm.
“We will be in touch with customers with bookings for these performances as soon as possible. Thank you for your understanding.”
Water from the River Cherwell next to the Spiceball Sports Centre has burst the river banks and flooded the area where the new supermarket is currently being built.
The Environment Agency says that two flood warnings are currently in place for our area.
The Sor Brook at Bodicote and Adderbury and The Bloxham Brook are likely to see problems. The Agency says: “Property flooding is expected. River Levels on the Sor Brook rose overnight and remain very high, we expect properties to be flooding in the area around Bodicote and Adderbury.
“Water levels look to have stabilised this morning and we expect them to start to lower through the day. River levels on the Bloxham Brook rose sharply yesterday evening however levels have dropped back below the flood threshold overnight.”
The Agency also says flooding is likely along the route of the River Cherwell from below Banbury to just above Upper Heyford, with property flooding likely in places such as the houses closest to the river in Kings Sutton.
Meanwhile Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue is warning of the dangers of flood water. They say: “Heavy rain during the lead up to Christmas, culminating in downpours on December 23, has led to high river levels that could continue to rise over Christmas in Oxfordshire and neighbouring areas.
“There is a lot of standing water on roads and people are asked to drive with extra care. Motorists are advised not to attempt to drive through floodwater as they run the risk of becoming stranded.
“Flood water is not clean and not suitable for children to play in. There might be hidden hazards under the water such as manhole covers that have lifted. Anyone who has been in flood water should wash their hands at the soonest opportunity.”
Published: by Banbury FM Newsteam