A flood watch alert on the River Thames in Oxfordshire was extended today.

Oxford had already been placed on flood watch after melting snow and showers caused river levels to rise.

Today, the alert was extended downstream to cover the Thames in the Abingdon area.

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

A flood watch alert also covers the Thames from Buscot to Kings Lock, north of Oxford, including Kelmscott, Radcot, Lower Bampton, Chimney, Newbridge, Northmoor, Stanton Harcourt, Bablockhythe, Eynsham and Swinford.

Flood Watch alerts were also issued today 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.
  • Other rivers in the county on flood watch are:
  • Ray
  • Windrush
  • Evenlode
  • Thame and Chalgrove Brook.

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

Driving conditions were 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.