Osney to get £200,000 flood defences

The agency says it is advertising across Europe for suppliers to provide demountable defences for parts of Oxford hit by the flooding this July.

The defences will be deployed at specific locations on Osney Island when flooding is expected, and will be removed after the waters have receded.

When they are used in conjunction with pumps they will protect up to 75 properties from low-order flood events from the river and groundwater.

Geoff Bell, area flood risk manager at the Environment Agency, said: "These demountable defences are the right solution for Osney Island, and will provide a good standard of protection to some of the homes in Oxford which have been hit by flooding three times in the past seven years. These will not increase the risk of flooding to properties downstream. This bespoke defence is only suitable in certain areas where it can make a real difference. It is not suitable for every area."

The demountable barriers will be placed in three separate sections along parts of East Street, West Street and South Street to provide protection for the properties in these areas during flooding.

Due to the value of the contract, the Environment Agency is required to undergo a tendering process for a supplier. It is anticipated that an order will be placed with the successful company early in the new year, with the defences being ready to use by early May.

The agency said the defences were the first in a number of measures which the Environment Agency is looking to implement over the next 18 months.

The idea of a temporary flood barrier for parts of Osney Island was first proposed by the local residents' association.

Two weeks ago, it even invited EA staff to a demonstration of an air-filled barrier to show how it could work.

Richard Thurston, of the Osney Island Residents' Association, said: "Of course, we do not know if it will work until it is tested for the first time. But we hope they get it right."