Witney News - Ditch clearance gets under way to help reduce flooding risk

Ditch clearance gets under way to help reduce flooding risk

Ditch clearance is being carried out as part of the District Council’s continuing flood defence work in West Oxfordshire.

More than 4,500 metres of ditches that fall under the Council’s responsibility are being cleared again, along with 24 culvert grills, starting in Carterton.

Council staff are working to reduce potential flood risk by removing vegetation, fallen leaves and branches, and trimming overgrown bushes, brambles and shrubbery, to ensure that rainwater can run freely. Areas that will be targeted also include Bampton, Brize Norton, North Leigh, Minster Lovell and Witney.

Cllr David Harvey, Cabinet Member for Environment, said: “Our annual ditch clearance programme is an important part of on-going steps taken to reduce the risk of flooding to safeguard our communities. It also has a positive impact for wildlife.

“As well as the work we do, it is important for private landowners to keep their ditches, brooks and streams clear. We monitor this and, if necessary, will send landowners a reminder letter.”

The Council has worked continuously on flood prevention since 2007, when West Oxfordshire was hit by devastating floods.

More than £1m has been secured by the Council for a programme of flood defence works and the Council has worked with partner agencies, including Oxfordshire County Council, the Environment Agency, Thames Water and DEFRA, to progress alleviation schemes as well as impact upon legislative changes.