South Abingdon Flood Meeting Aims to 'Plan for Next Time' (Oxford West and Abingdon Liberal Democrats)

Oxford West and Abingdon Liberal Democrats <info@oxwablibdems.org.uk>

South Abingdon Flood Meeting Aims to 'Plan for Next Time'

January 20, 2009 12:34 PM

Following the serious flooding in Abingdon in July 2007, residents in south Abingdon have been invited to set up a flood action group to help them deal with future events.

A meeting planned for Thursday 22nd January will seek to set up a flood action group to plan how to respond to flooding, including providing advice on how to protect properties, arranging community warnings and emergency planning and providing information on improvements to homes and businesses which might help to keep the flood water at bay.

Local residents have been invited to a launch meeting on Thursday 22nd January at 7pm at the 35 Ock Street community centre, which is part of the Baptist church. There is only limited parking which is reserved for disabled and elderly persons but additional parking is available in West St Helen Street Car Park.

South Abingdon Councillor Samantha Bowring said: "A lot of residents were hit hard by the flooding in 2007 and we need to start planning now to make sure that fewer local families suffer in future. Most people agree that the flooding will return again one day so we cannot afford to do nothing. We can all help to reduce the risks but we need to start now.

"There is much we can do to protect our homes, such as buying air brick covers and keeping some sandbags at home. If we all start planning now, we can ensure that we are all better prepared and that more homes are properly protected if Abingdon is affected in future. I hope as many residents as possible can come along and lend a hand. It is in everyone's interests that we respond to this threat as a community."