AS the Environment Agency celebrated its 20th birthday, one of its seniors figures warned of more intense flooding to come – but said they were more prepared than ever.

The organisation was set up in spring 1996 and its Osney depot has dealt with several bouts of severe flooding, most notably in 2003, 2007 and winter 2013/14.

The major floods of 2007, which hit more than 3,000 homes and caused the closure of Botley Road and Abingdon Road, brought about a sea-change, with the government implementing an action plan.

Operations manager for the West Thames, Peter Collins, said: "A lot has changed. When we first started we were only focused on our specific area but during the recent floods in Yorkshire and Cumbria we sent around 100 staff to help.

"Our incident room is 24/7 and, as we have seen with climate change flooding, is only going to get more intense. But our instant response has never been better.

"The Oxford Flood Alleviation Scheme – a four-mile channel planned through the city – will also make Oxford more robust to flooding.

"The 2003 floods affected 300 properties, and in 2013/14 there were 100 properties hit. The flood channel will reduce risk to more than 1,000 homes."

Easter 1999 saw the first major operation the EA had to deal with as Banbury was submerged.

Entering the 21st century, Oxford took a hammering from the elements with heavy flooding in 2000, 2003 and 2007.

Mr Collins, 41, who is also celebrating his 20th year at the Osney depot, said Oxford was "peculiar" because heavy rainfall landing in the Cotswolds would be carried to the city by a number of rivers including the Cherwell, the Evenlode and the Thames.

He said: "You can do all the planning sometimes and still there are things you are not prepared for.

"We understand the emotional reaction to flooding and the impact it has on people's lives.

"There is a fear factor surrounding flooding but it's about helping people understand the risk. We have improved our modelling and forecasting a great deal over the years.
"After each major flood we have learnt more and the public's views in recent years have been invaluable.

"We look at the strategy and the bigger picture, but sometimes this can be only the tip of the iceberg."

In 1996 the EA had its own diving team, which still used the old copper diving helmets. Now that aspect of the organisation's work is contracted out, along with construction.

Paul Carter has worked in construction at the Osney depot for the Environment Agency and previous incarnations for 41 years and built many of the bridges and weirs across the county. 

The 58-year-old said although much of the agency's work is now contracted out he still had a sense a pride at seeing his work.

He said: "A lot has changed over the years. We used to have a group of up to 10 of us taking on projects to build weirs and bridges, now it's only me really.

"I still take a great deal of pride in the work we do, just as much as if it's building a gate post nowadays.

"I have worked here since I was 16 and it's been great. There's no substitute for being able to pass on your knowledge and skills to the next generation."

KEEPING BUSY - False teeth to sinking boats

THE Environment Agency doesn’t just deal with flooding. 

More than a decade ago an elderly couple got into some difficulty on a boat near Abingdon. 

Mr Collins said: “The man’s false teeth had somehow fallen into the river. 
“Fortunately our in-house diving team was nearby carrying out an inspection of that part of the river. 

“After a short while we saw a hand appear from under the water with a set of teeth on it chattering away.”

The EA often trawls the river to check if fishermen have the appropriate rod licence and also conducts fish health checks and monitors algae blooms. 

In February this year the agency embarked on a mammoth operation to rescue a sinking narrowboat jammed against Osney Bridge off Botley Road. 

Teams of divers and recovery workers tried everything, including pumping One Old Peculier dry to make it buoyant but had no luck.
After forecasting a weather front at the end of the week – six days after the

boat was first trapped – the team was in a race against time to prevent Oxford from flooding.

A crane was finally used to winch the boat from the river.

Reflecting on the past 20 years

THE first major flooding in Oxfordshire after the Environment Agency was set up in 1996 came just two years later at Easter 1998 in Banbury.

The railway station and roads were closed and approximately 125 residential and 35 commercial properties were flooded, resulting in more than £12.5m of damage.

This led to the creation of a flood alleviation scheme, which was completed in the area in 2012.

More flooding, this time in Oxford in 2000 and 2003, alerted the authorities to a problem in the city, but it was not until the severe floods of 2007 that a plan of action was put in place. 

Some 3,000 homes in and around the city were flooded and 600 residents were evacuated, with many taking refuge in Oxford United Football Club’s Kassam Stadium.

Residents had a relatively dry period as the government and local authorities devised a plan for Oxford. In fact by 2010 the idea of a channel was decided on but deemed unaffordable. 

Then in the winter of 2013/14 the rains returned, with Botley Road and Abingdon Road affected and businesses and residents losing thousands in the way of damage.

A government policy change that allowed funding partners to aid in raising money for schemes brought the £120m flood relief channel back to the table.