A group campaigning to battle flooding in Witney has backed an investigation into whether a flood barrier could be added to plans for a local link road.

Witney Anti-Flood Group has supported the idea of having a two-metre barrier as part of the West End link road.

This would protect nearby homes and Bridge Street, they said, as part of the proposal for a second river crossing for the town.

The Environment Agency (EA) included the idea in its Witney Flood Alleviation report in April.

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In a statement, the flood group said: “In times of heavy rainfall this would allow water to be held upstream of Witney in the undeveloped rural areas.

“Such a barrier would have the effect of allowing flood waters to be let through only at a rate that the Bridge Street bridge could handle.

“We believe this barrier needs to be built whether or not the West End link road goes ahead.”

Oxfordshire County Council wants to fund the road with money from developers, as part of a deal to build a 1,000-home estate off Hailey Road, north Witney.

It would link Woodford Way and West End with a new River Windrush crossing.

The EA has said a £2.2m barrier separate from the link road is not financially viable and is looking into the link road proposal.

Spokeswoman Hayley Willoughby said: “We are now working on a detailed business case, which may involve a combination of these sources to enable to scheme to progress.”

About 230 homes and businesses around Bridge Street were flooded in July 2007.

Oxford Mail:

Hailey Parish Council chairman Graham Knaggs

Hailey Parish Council chairman Graham Knaggs opposes the Hailey Road development – known as Witney North – and wants the link road in the west of the town. He said: “We would welcome spending money on flooding issues, but we think from a traffic perspective it should be upstream from the proposed West End link road.

“It will make little difference to solving the flooding problems but it will be more beneficial to help traffic issues.”

Oxford Mail:

 The flooding in Bridge Street, Witney, in 2007

West Oxfordshire District Council cabinet member for communities Richard Langridge also opposed the link road.

He said: “Protecting the centre of Witney is very important but we have to be very careful about putting a great big road right across the flood plain.

“I don’t think Witney North is deliverable because of the infrastructure and anti-flooding measures it would need, which is a cost too high.

“The EA always says there aren’t enough homes affected to warrant the expenditure, but you try telling that to people whose homes were flooded. It needs to put in some money.”


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