MP visits flood alleviation scheme to see how it has protected Banbury

“We are very thankful to have such an effective scheme in place in Banbury”

After weeks of wet weather our area has been subject to a number of flood alerts affecting local rivers, but property damage has, in the main, been avoided.

Banbury’s MP, Victoria Prentis, visited the town’s Flood Alleviation Scheme to see for herself how it has been working to prevent widespread flooding in Banbury.

Mrs Prentis said: “Parts of Oxfordshire have been badly hit by flooding since the New Year.   Although we have seen some damage in Banbury, it has not been to the same level that many of us will recall in 1998 when more than 350 people were forced to flee their homes after the River Cherwell burst its banks.    After a similar flood in 2007, it was decided that a flood alleviation scheme in Banbury was needed.”

The scheme was built in 2012 and involved a flood storage reservoir being created around Banbury Country Park.   At a cost of £18.5 million, a 3-kilometre embankment was built forming a 3 million cubic meters storage basin.    The idea was that the reservoir could hold water, which would then be let into the River Cherwell in a controlled manner to avoid flooding in the town.

The Environment Agency’s Thames Area Director, Anna Burns, and her team joined Mrs Prentis on site.

Mrs Prentis added: “Since its completion in 2012, the scheme has been tested a number of times. Given the levels of flooding we have seen elsewhere, we are very thankful to have such an effective scheme in place in Banbury.    

“The embankment and flood plain also prove to be a popular walking destination for local residents, with a direct path connecting to the town and Banbury Country Park.”

---

Published: 21/02/2024 11:00am by Banbury FM Newsteam

---