What the authorities do

During a flood event the Environment Agency will issue flood alerts and flood warnings to those who have signed up to their service. Oxford City Council is responsible for coordinating the emergency response, should that be necessary. They will liaise with the Environment Agency, the County Council and the emergency services.

There are specific measure that will be put in place. These are listed below:

The Environment Agency erects barriers to protect Vicarage Lane/Lake Street from water overflowing from Hinksey Lake.

The Environment Agency pumps in the drain next to the electricity substation on Vicarage Road with the aim of reducing local flooding.

The Highways Agency closes Abingdon Rd/Donnington Bridge Rd to traffic.

The fire service uses pumps south of the Weirs Lane/Abingdon Road junction. The Environment Agency also pumps water at the end of Wytham Street.

Oxford City Council may provide mobile toilets in the New Hinksey/Cold Harbour area.

Sand bags can help where water flows overland to your property but note **the Councils no longer supply these** to residents

Our local councillors

Anna Railton, one of our local City Councillors, is part of SOFLAG and helps to keep us informed of developments. All local City Councillors communicate with City officers who coordinate the flood response with the Environment Agency, emergency services etc. The City Council and other agencies:

Contact vulnerable people and makes sure they are safe
Help evacuate people from flooded areas
Close flooded roads and bridges and put diversions in place
Clear blocked drains on the roads
High Street may be open to traffic through the bus gate, and Redbridge P&R may be free to use for local residents.