Storm Henk: Oxfordshire councils respond to floods

Some councils in the county are also citing a "serious risk to life" due to footpaths along the city’s waterways becoming filled with water.

This comes amid a number of road closures and a few raised eyebrows where facilities such as the Seacourt park and ride in Oxford have been built on floodplain land.

Wallingford Splash Pool car park on Friday. (Image: Lynda Bowyer)

READ MORE: Pictures: Oxfordshire flooded in wake of Storm Henk

We asked the county council what it was doing to mitigate the impact of floods in relation to its responsibility for "coordinating the management of flood risk from surface water, groundwater and ordinary watercourses".

A spokesman for the council said: "Following the recent extreme rainfall, our highways officers, fire crews and partners responded to flooding issues across the whole county throughout the night and continue to do so.

"Large numbers of sandbags have been distributed.

King's Meadow in Osney Mead. (Image: NQ staff)

"Teams are working to address immediate issues as far as is possible.

"However, where rivers to which excess water normally drain are overflowing, this limits what can be done until water levels subside."

Other local authorities, such as Oxford City Council, said a number of temporary flood protection measures had been deployed.

This includes a flood barrier and pump at Bullstake Close and in West Street in Osney Island.

Vicarage Lane and Lake Street also have barriers and a flood pump at the ready if water levels rise further.

The city council spokesman added: "We are particularly keen to stress that increased water flow has resulted in towpaths and footpaths along the city’s waterways becoming flooded and dangerous with serious risk to life.

Didcot Parkway Station. (Image: John Brown)

"Signage is being installed ahead of closed routes.

"It is strongly advised to avoid these routes, and please do not attempt to enter flood water - find an alternative route."

The South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Councils said in a joint statement: “Our area has co-ordinated, multi-agency response arrangements for flooding events such as this.

"The district council’s primary role is to provide support, as and when requested, to the county council, Environment Agency and emergency services."

The councils have offered to make staffing resources available to support these agencies should they require them.

A bungalow near Botley Road was flooded. (Image: Stephen Bodey)

The statement added: "We’re providing information and advice about the situation on the ground and local knowledge into the Local Resilience Forum network and providing a warning and informing service to local residents, town and parish councils and businesses.”

Flooding in Botley Road (Image: Contributed)

Some of the areas in Oxfordshire that have seen the worst flooding include Abingdon Road and Botley Road - a main route into Oxford city centre - and Islip in the Cherwell District.