People's lives are being put at risk as the Environment Agency drags its heels over a report into flooding in Witney, according to a campaigner.

Tony Lime said he had become frustrated with the agency’s lack of action, after another delay to a report ordered after the death last June of former Wood Green School pupil Max Sullivan-Webb, 17.

He died after becoming trapped in a storm drain in a brook behind Eastfield Road, in Witney.

After his death, the agency said it would be exploring ways to end persistent flooding in the Hailey Road area of the town.

In December, the agency said the report would be delayed until this month, as more time was needed to complete it.

However, the agency has now said it will not be releasing the report until next month – to coincide with a public meeting on Friday, March 6.

The venue for the event has yet to be confirmed, the agency said.

Mr Lime, 50, of Hailey Road, said: “When that poor lad drowned, I hoped that the Environment Agency would pull its finger out.

“But it’s been delay after delay. It’s action we need, not a bunch of pencil-pushers filing reports.

“With the weather the way it is at the moment, there are a lot of very worried people around this part of Witney.

“We don’t want to see another tragedy of the likes we saw last summer and even when this report is published, it will be more waiting before any work starts.”

Mr Lime said the lack of information from the agency had also caused frustration among many residents.

“It’s the not knowing what is going on. If they were to keep us informed, people wouldn’t get so angry,” he added.

Residents have been calling for action to end the flooding problems for at least a decade.

Malcolm Wallace, of the Witney Flood Action group, said: “We have a ‘no blame’ culture, where we try not blaming anyone for what has happened in the past.

“But if we don’t get some action now, then we might start looking at the past.

“We should know something by now.”

Mr Willis also said no information had yet been given to his group on a feasibility study conducted in November into the possibility of creating upstream water storage along the River Windrush.

Environment Agency flood risk manager Barry Russell said: “The investigation has taken longer than previously anticipated but we want to ensure that we have the best information, so we can protect the Witney community from the effects of flooding and be confident in the work that we deliver.

“During the investigations we gained a clearer picture of the situation and further options, other than using upstream storage, became available.

“Our public meeting early next month will give local people a chance to find out about the report’s findings and we look forward to meeting residents.”

The agency was not able to say when work on flood prevention measures would start.

ckearney@oxfordmail.co.uk