Banbury MP urges Thames Water to take action amid flooding

Banbury's MP Sean Woodcock announced this morning (September 23) that he has written to the company following localised flooding in the town.

He said: "Today I have written to Thames Water to ask them to take further steps to deal with blocked drains across Banbury Constituency.

"Extreme weather will often cause localised flooding, but years of neglect means that much of Banbury is ill prepared for it. That must change."

READ MORE: List of Oxfordshire schools closed due to flooding

In the letter he addressed concerns raised by residents about "waste water" flooding across the town.

Flooding on Windsor Street in Banbury (Image: Nicky King) "I understand that the weather is out of your control and that heavy rain often causes flooding, even in the most well-maintained areas," he wrote.

READ MORE: Schools close and buses divert as flooding hits Oxfordshire

"Nonetheless, there are many blocked drains in Banbury constituency that have been blocked for many years.

"These drains are usually in residential areas and often coincide exactly with where localised flooding takes place."

He noted the storm drain near Morrisons on Windsor Street, which he claimed was "blocked for over six months" before action was taken to deal with it. 

He ended the letter by asking Thames Water to note the concerns and to take "further steps to ensure that reports of blocked drains are taken seriously by your team".

A spokesperson for Thames Water said: “The heavy rainfall over the weekend and in recent weeks has put huge pressure on our sewers and pumping stations. 

"Water is entering our network and flows from flooded rivers are adding to the problem in some areas.

"While we’re prioritising emergencies first, our teams will visit Banbury and Windsor Street to check on drainage in this area.”

Concerns have also been expressed over the flooding by Oxford East MP Anneliese Dodds.

She said in a statement early Monday afternoon: "I am very concerned by the levels of flooding in Oxford and the impact this is having on local residents, schools and businesses.

"Thank you to all the Oxford City Council, Oxfordshire County Council and Environment Agency emergency workers who are battling to deal with this. Please stay safe."

Oxfordshire and large areas of the country were faced with flash flooding caused by heavy downpours of rain. 

As of 11.45am, 17 flood warnings – meaning flooding is expected – were issued for England by the Environment Agency.

According to the Environment Agency, at least 45 properties flooded across Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Kent and the Home Counties.