Abingdon's Tesco Extra store remains closed today due to flooding.

The store off Marcham Road, one of the supermarket giant's largest in the country, shut yesterday afternoon after the River Ock broke its banks after heavy rain brought by Storm Bert at the weekend.

It took about half an hour for the car park to fill with water, and staff quickly removed their vehicles from the site.

READ MORE: Dozens of flood warnings still in place 

It is the fourth time the car park has flooded in two years, following heavy rain. 

It happened in January and September, and last April, with Tesco being forced to miss out on several days' trading.

(Image: Andy Ffrench) Staff could be seen this morning wading through flood water to get to the store entrance.

One worker said: "If we don't turn up we don't get paid - or we can take a day's holiday.

"It's happened again but how do you stop it?

"The store was built on a flood plain and I think Tesco were told at the time they could go ahead but would have to live with the consequences."

Another staff member said: "It causes more work when the store is closed - we have to go through the stock and double check all the use by dates."

A Tesco spokesman said yesterday: "We are sorry for the inconvenience caused by the temporary closure of our Abingdon Extra store.

"This is due to the recent heavy rainfall and flood water in the carpark. We are working with our maintenance team to reopen the store as soon as possible.”

With Tesco flooded out, residents in the area are watching river levels anxiously and hoping their homes won't be flooded for the third time in a year.

The garages of properties in Chaunterell Way and surrounding streets were filled with flood water in January and September when the Ock overflowed.

(Image: Andy Ffrench) In the latest flood warning for the River Ock at Abingdon and Caldecott, the Environment Agency said shortly before 8pm last night: "Property flooding is possible. River levels are rising steadily on the River Ock following heavy rainfall from Storm Bert.

"Therefore, flooding of property and roads is possible from later this evening. Levels are expected to be similar to those seen in January 2024. Areas most at risk are properties located closest to the River Ock on Mill Paddock, Orpwood Way, St Helens Mill, Nash Drive.

READ MORE: Landlord lost control of car on Christmas Day 

"The forecast is for a predominantly dry night with further rainfall forecast from tomorrow night (November 26) into Wednesday.

"River levels are expected to continue to rise over the coming hours before stabilising early tomorrow morning and then starting to fall. However levels may rise again in response to the rainfall forecast over the next two days."

(Image: Andy Ffrench) The Environment Agency has been criticised by residents for removing flood barriers designed to protect homes in the Chaunterell Way area and there is no flood plan covering Abingdon.

Oxford West and Abingdon MP has urged the government to review funding formulas so that towns as well as cities are better protected.

She told the House of Commons that she had asked the Environment Agency to visit Abingdon following the latest flooding but it had refused to send staff.

She added: "They told us they could not send enough people - not because they don't have the staff or the money but because not enough of them have completed a workplace assessment and training over how not to be assaulted by angry residents."

Environment Secretary Steve Reed said he would raise the issue with the Environment Agency.

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About the author 

Andy is the Trade and Tourism reporter for the Oxford Mail and you can sign up to his newsletters for free here. 

He joined the team more than 20 years ago and he covers community news across Oxfordshire.

His Trade and Tourism newsletter is released every Saturday morning. 

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