THE OXFORD PAPER Thursday, December 14, 2017 No.70
60p
theoxfordpaper.co.uk
Your guide for your
Out& About leisure time in & arou
nd Oxfordshire
Weekly leisure Explorers’ guide awesome for in & adventures around Oxford Unbeliveable journeys on the big screen
Hospital staff honoured Animals brave the snow at Cyclist takes on mountain Page 6 wildlife park Pages 8&9 climb for charity Page 10 for their work
Flood alleviation scheme to protect properties at risk By Samantha McGregor PLANS for a £120million flood alleviation scheme to protect homes and businesses in Oxford have taken a major step forward. The Environment Agency has confi rmed the business case has been signed off by the government and it is working on a planning application. The Oxford flood alleviation scheme will run over a three-mile stretch from north of Botley Road to re-join the River Thames near Kennington. It aims to prevent a repeat of “disruption and damage” caused by flooding in 2007, 2012 and 2013/14. As well as protecting homes and businesses, the scheme would stop flooding in Botley and Abingdon roads, which are major transport routes into the city. Most of the money is in place, but a further £4m is needed to complete the scheme. A spokesman for the Environment Agency said: “The outline business case for the Oxford flood alleviation scheme was approved by HM Treasury in November. “We are now working on the detailed design for the scheme and preparing for the planning application
submission in spring 2018. “Commercial negotiations are ongoing alongside work with our scheme partners to increase their fi nancial commitment.” It comes as a new report, commissioned by Vale of White Horse District Council, confi rmed that the proposed flood alleviation scheme will not impact communities downstream in the Vale or South Oxfordshire. Concerns had been raised the Oxford scheme would increase their flood risk.
The Oxford flood alleviation scheme will have a positive impact on people and communities outside of Oxford Jo Larmour, project director at the Environment Agency Cllr Matthew Barber, leader of Vale of White Horse District Council, said: “This is very positive news. “Although we have always been supportive of the Oxford scheme it was important for us to listen and respond to our residents’ concerns. “We know communities by the River Thames will always have
20%
OFF
concerns over flooding and we will continue to work with them and Environment Agency on feasible and appropriate flood prevention projects, such as the St Helen’s Mill scheme in Abingdon.” Jo Larmour, project director at the Environment Agency, said: “The Oxford flood alleviation scheme will have a positive impact on people and communities outside of Oxford. “The scheme will reduce disruption to roads and the railway during flooding, a relief to those who commute into Oxford or travel on surrounding transport links. “This will also benefit the approximately seven million people who visit Oxford every year.” Layla Moran, Lib Dem MP for Oxford West and Abingdon, welcomed the report and said she would continue to lobby the government to invest in flood protection. The Oxford scheme is being funded by the government, Oxfordshire County Council, Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership, Thames Regional Flood and Coastal Committee, Oxford City Council and Thames Water. If the plans are approved work is due to start in 2018 and construction is expected to take three years.
AFTER
Ready for some sea
sonal slapstick?
Santas not on the run!
Unfortunately these three hardy souls didn’t see the message about the Helen & Douglas House Santas on the Run being cancelled on Sunday morning due to the heavy snowfall but they did get to enjoy the city covered in a blanket of snow all to themselves. See page 18 for full story and more non-running Santas
CHRISTMAS
when you spend over £10
when you spend over £10
*some exclusions apply, see voucher for details
.OXFORD
*some exclusions apply, see voucher for details