The recent Didcot and Wantage Flood Summit in East Hanney gathered a diverse group, including parish councils, local flood groups, the Environment Agency, county and district council officers, Thames Water, and Network Rail, all of whom are integral to flood prevention and mitigation efforts.
Notable attendance included Olly Glover, the MP for Didcot and Wantage, who participated in discussions focused on how to shield communities from the increasingly frequent extreme weather events tied to climate change. Using the recurring floods in East Hanney as a case study, the gathering emphasized the need for proactive measures.
In addressing the assembly, Olly Glover underscored the importance of collaboration, noting that multiple stakeholders, including agencies and landowners, play pivotal roles in managing flood risks. He expressed the necessity of bringing all parties together to better comprehend both the causes of flooding and collective prevention strategies. Glover highlighted previous successful initiatives, such as those in Didcot Ladygrove, where coordinated actions led to practical solutions.
Barry Gooch from the Future Flood Resilience Forum lauded the summit’s attempt to unify the community and regulatory bodies, stating, “The shared understanding of challenges empowers us to enhance flood resilience within our communities.”
Concrete actions were discussed, including prioritizing flood prevention in housing development standards, educating landowners on flood management, implementing water treatment wetlands, and improving bridges, culverts, and water level monitoring. Attention was also given to aiding communities in establishing their own flood groups and promoting available resources such as the Oxfordshire Flood Toolkit.
The National Flood Forum emphasizes the empowerment of communities in mitigating flood risks, positioning itself as a leading advocate for those affected by flooding.
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