OXFORD was placed on Flood Watch today after melting snow and overnight showers caused river levels to rise.

The Environment Agency has urged people living or working near the River Thames in the city and surrounding villages to remain vigilant over the weekend.

A Flood Watch alert also covers the Thames from Buscot to King's Lock, including Kelmscott, Radcot, Lower Bampton, Chimney, Newbridge, Northmoor, Stanton Harcourt, Bablock Hythe, Eynsham, Swinford and Yarnton.

Flood Watch alerts were also issued this morning for:

  • The River Ock, from Watchfield to Abingdon.
  • The River Cherwell from Charwelton to Banbury and Oxford.
  • The Letcombe Brook at Wantage, Grove, East Hanney, Letcombe Regis and Letcombe Bassett.
  • The Bloxham and Sor Brooks, from Edgehill to Adderbury, including Bloxham.

A Flood Watch alert means flooding of low-lying land and roads is expected. The agency warns people to “be aware, be prepared and watch out”.

For the latest information on flood alerts, see the Environment Agency website, or call the Floodline on 0845 988 1188.

The thaw is also causing problems for motorists, due to standing water on roads. About a foot of water has collected in Horspath Road, Cowley, alongside the BMW car plant, making the road impasssable.

Driving conditions are also difficult on the A40 between Witney and Eynsham, with police advising drivers to take extra care, due to patches of standing water in many places.