Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's visit to flood-hit Oxford this month was a "photo opportunity" and must be backed up with "prompt action", say householders. 

Those living in Osney Island and North Hinksey have written to Mr Sunak following his visit on Sunday, January 7.

The group of 10 have called for better flood defences to be installed in the city following the devastation that followed Storm Henk.

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Oxford Mail: Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on a visit to flood-hit Oxford on January 7Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on a visit to flood-hit Oxford on January 7 (Image: PA/Frank Augstein)

The floods have reignited calls to improve defences across the county, with Liberal Democrat MP Layla Moran asking for better protection in her Oxford West and Abingdon constituency.

Mr Sunak visited Osney Island to view the work of the Environment Agency at their depot and chat with residents.

Speaking to media in front of a fast-flowing River Thames, he thanked first responders for “doing a fantastic job” tackling the floods.

But following his visit, householders have penned a letter to 10 Downing Street asking for “an effective flood alleviation scheme for Oxford”.

It comes amid widespread criticism of the current proposed scheme by the Environment Agency (EA) which is bogged down in a public inquiry.

The letter asked for a more “appropriate solution” than the EA’s £176m Oxford Flood Alleviation Scheme, which was criticised as “poorly conceived” and a “waste of public money”.'

The EA insists the scheme is "the best option for reducing flood risk in Oxford".

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Ms Moran was one of many who objected to the scheme before it was called in for an inquiry by the government.

Oxford Mail: Layla Moran said her constituents deserve better flood defencesLayla Moran said her constituents deserve better flood defences (Image: Layla Moran)

She has now asked the government to review flood protection funding in her constituency.

It comes after Abingdon, Sunningwell, Radley, Botley, West Oxford and South Hinksey were badly affected by flooding.

In a letter to environment minister MP Rebecca Pow yesterday (January 19), Ms Moran said her constituents deserved better flood defences.

The Liberal Democrat MP wrote: “Agencies worked tirelessly on the night of Storm Henk but just do not have the funding and resources to deliver the flood protection the people who live here deserve.”

Ms Moran asked why the Environment Agency “dropped” plans for flood barriers in Abingdon - which had been proposed following similar floods in 2007 – and said that several properties in the town had flooded.

Oxford Mail: Layla Moran visiting flood-affected areas in her Oxford West and Abingdon constituencyLayla Moran visiting flood-affected areas in her Oxford West and Abingdon constituency (Image: Layla Moran)

She added that residents in Wooton “felt let down” by the EA after being left to “fend for themselves” during the floods.

“One resident was on hold to the Environment Agency for 90 minutes whilst water was flooding their home,” she claimed.

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