Rain leads to flood alerts

8:04am Monday 17th March 2008

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FLOOD alerts have been issued for several rivers in Oxfordshire after heavy rainfall led to rising water levels across the county.

About 20mm of rain fell on Saturday night prompting the Environment Agency to issue lower-risk "floodwatch" warnings for the River Thames, the River Cherwell, the River Ray and the River Thame.

Residents in Kennington awoke yesterday to find driveways and gardens awash with raw sewage caused by overflowing drains.

Kennington Road resident John Mastroddi said: "Driveways and gardens were full of water and raw sewage. The smell was dreadful.

"But, after repeated calls to Thames Water, all they told me was it would be two days before anything was done."

Thames Water spokesman Nichola Savage said: "The deluge over the weekend meant we were overwhelmed with calls.

"As far as the Kennington Road residents are concerned, once the water drained away we would do the clear up as fast as we could, but it would take 48 hours."

Emergency drain work was also carried out in Old Marston.

Environment Agency officials said they were not anticipating widespread property flooding, but would monitor the impact of the weekend's rainfall.

Environment Agency spokesman Tim Abbott said: "Fortunately we did not have as much rainfall as was forecast with a maximum of just under 20mm.

"We have not had any reports of any major flooding."

Floodwatch warnings were last night in place for the River Thames from Eynsham to Sandford Lock, including Wytham, Lower Wolvercote, New Botley, Osney, Grandpont, New Hinksey, South Hinksey and Kennington. The River Cherwell from Charwelton to Oxford, the River Ray from Shipton Lee to Islip and the River Thame from Long Marston to Dorchester were issued with floodwatch warnings.

Roads were flooded in Cumnor, Didcot, Woodstock, Bletchingdon, Charlbury, East Hagbourne, Woodeaton, Shabbington and Worminghall.

In the hamlet of Yelford, near Witney, the main road was waterlogged and residents had to bring in a digger to help clear water off the road.

Resident Eva Rogers, said: "It's the second time in eight months we've flooded. The water was half an inch from my doorstep."

For the latest information, see the Environment Agency website, or call the Floodline on 08459 881188