Floodwatch Update

I have received clarification from the Environment Agency, following local residents' concerns regarding Flood Warning Areas for Grove and Wantage area. If you check the Environment Agency's website you need to click on 'The River Ock from Little Coxwell to Abingdon and its tributaries' - the Letcombe Brook comes under the heading 'Tributaries'.

At the moment, there is not a full flood warning service to customers near the Letcombe Brook, however, there is a 'Flood Watch' service which indicates low lying land and roads which may be flooded. This does not include property flooding at this stage. A Flood Watch would be an early indicator that low level flooding is likely and so residents can keep extra vigilant in case the situation becomes worse. To get more in-depth information about river levels in the Ock catchment, phone 0845 988 1188 to stay in touch with local flooding and river conditions. After dialling Floodline, press 1 for local flooding information and then a second number for local information. This is called a quickdial code and the number for the Ock Catchment is 0112313.

I was also informed that the Letcombe Brook is on their priority programme, which commences in April 2008, to have a river level gauge installed. Once the new river level gauge is in place, the EA will be able to offer a full flood warning service. This means residents will be notified of a 'Flood Warning' which means that flooding of properties in the area is expected. Once this is in place and operational, then I shall pass this information on so that those who are interested, can be signed up.