Oxfordshire residents' views on flood response wanted

The invitation comes after a year that saw Oxfordshire hit by flooding in January, as well as repeated flood warnings following months of wet weather.

In response, Oxfordshire County Council is seeking public opinion on its draft local flood risk management strategy.

Councillor Dr Pete Sudbury, deputy leader of Oxfordshire County Council with responsibility for climate change, environment and future generations, said: "Flooding is devastating for those who experience it, and fear of being flooded again can have a terrible impact on people’s lives.

Pete Sudbury (Image: Oxfordshire County Council)

"As we saw this winter after Storm Henk struck, following the wettest July to December period in England since 1890, Oxfordshire is already on the frontline for risk of flooding, both from rivers and from groundwater, which is much harder to predict.

"However, this winter was a foretaste of a difficult future for which we need to start preparing now."

He continued: "We know that increasingly prolonged and extreme rainfall is a feature of a warming world – 90 per cent of the excess heating caused by climate pollution is absorbed by the oceans.

"Hot water evaporates more and that falls as more and heavier rain.

"The energy released when the water vapour condenses puts more energy into the atmosphere and we get stronger winds."

The draft strategy details how the council and partner authorities will collaborate to manage flood risk, providing an action plan for the county's flood management.

This consultation, strategy and action plan can be accessed and commented on at Let’s talk Oxfordshire until August 23.

Submerged cars at Wallingford Splash Pool car park (Image: Lynda Bowyer)

The documents cover a five-year period but also consider the long-term effects of climate change.

Mr Sudbury added: "We are at the beginning of a long period where our weather will be increasingly extreme and unpredictable, with unexpected and at times unprecedented events becoming more frequent, damaging and potentially dangerous.

"That’s why we want to hear as many views as possible about what we propose to do over the next five years.

"We would like to hear from residents, businesses, and anyone else who is affected as this feedback will help us to identify if changes are needed on the draft objectives and action plan.

"The biggest risk is failing to prepare properly. If we all work together that's a mistake we won't make."

Residents can use the Oxfordshire’s flood toolkit, an online resource offering information about what to do before, during and after a flood.

It explains how to report a flood, what precautions to take and which organisations to contact.