Environment Agency contractors in Oxford are undertaking investigation works during April as part of the wider flood risk strategy being developed for the city. The work involves drilling boreholes and digging trial pits at 30 sites around Oxford.

The ground investigation works will be used to assess the areas of potential contaminated land to quantify risks to engineering solutions and to widen the groundwater monitoring network in Oxford, to inform Oxford flood risk management works.

Geoff Bell, area flood risk manager at the Environment Agency, said:

“This is a vital part of the investigation work that we need to carry out in Oxford as part of our strategy to find a sustainable solution to reducing the risk of flooding to more than 3,600 properties in Oxford.

Areas such as Osney, New Botley and South Hinksey have experienced flooding several times over the past century, with events in 1947, 2000, 2003 and 2007 affecting a much wider area. In July 2007, flooding affected areas including Osney Island and around 160 properties were flooded, and flooding of low lying roads was also seen in the city in January 2008.

The Environment Agency has been working in partnership with consultants Black & Veatch to undertake a flood risk management strategy for the Oxford area. The first phase of this work was completed in 2006. The Environment Agency is looking at the possibility of constructing a conveyance channel to the west of the city as one of a number of options, as well as the possibility of flood storage north west of Oxford. Once a strategy has been identified, it will need to gain the appropriate amount of funding, by being technically feasible, financially viable and environmentally acceptable. Identified options will then have to compete for government funding with other schemes nationally, using the Defra-approved scoring system.

Appropriate agreement for the Environment Agency approach will also need to be reached in consultation with a variety of stakeholders, including local residents, landowners, local councils, utility companies and statutory organisations such as Natural England and English Heritage. It is expected that a public inquiry will be held to assess the viability of any scheme.

Mr Bell continued: “We have already taken steps to reduce the risk of flooding in Oxford, by purchasing demountable flood barriers for the Osney area of the city. We are also still working with residents and Oxford City Council on options for other short term measures.