Latest news with #floodprotection
BBC News
2 days ago
- Climate
- BBC News
Hundreds attend Bradford-on-Avon flood information event
Hundreds of people have attended a special event held to provide information on how to protect homes and businesses from River Avon has burst in banks in Bradford-on-Avon in Wiltshire on numerous occasions in recent years, flooding nearby roads and event came just a week after a multi-million pound flood protection scheme for the town was scrapped, so the Environment Agency and other organisations were present to listen to local local resident - who said he had eight feet of water in his basement last year - said he wanted to hear something to "give the population some hope". Mark Dunn lives in an old mill next to the river and said: "For 360 days a year it's idyllic. For four or five days a year, it's pretty terrifying to see 30,000 litres of water go by your window a second."He explained he has been in the home for the last three big floods in the town - 2013, 2012 and 2024. 'Writing on the wall' "We know we can't completely get rid of it, but I was hoping to hear about something to be offered to give the population some hope" he added, disappointed that the £11m protection scheme was Dunn felt the scheme would have been worth the money because of the impact of the floods in the area ,and said residents do end up feeling abandoned."The climate is only going to get worse. The writing is on the wall," he said he did not hear what he wanted to hear at the event but added it was "good news" that the local MP and Environment Agency are not giving up on finding a solution. Local Liberal Democrat MP Brian Mathew was at the event and told the BBC he has been speaking to the head of the Environment Agency about the issue."There's no single one solution," he said, adding that the original £11m plan "wouldn't have been enough".He added: "There's not a lot of point in spending a lot of money on what wouldn't have been enough anyway."Mr Mathew said people are concerned and worried, and that more does need to be done for his constituents. "The voluntary flood wardens have been absolutely brilliant. In November, they were down at four in the morning, and they were there before us" said Mike Pugh, who runs art gallery SerenArts at the Tithe Barn explained the community has been very supportive, but wanted to find out "who else can help form further up the ladder". Having been there since 2009, he has experienced flooding four times, and has adapted, using plastic boxes and making sure everything can be lifted Pugh said it "appears to be an increasing problem".He added he uses the Environment Agency website which monitors water levels."You can calculate where it's going to get to. That's a good way of knowing when to press the panic button." Mayor of Bradford-on-Avon Jack Vittles said he is "really, really pleased" that people have been able to speak directly to the agencies involved."A lot of people are realistic about what they can do in their own homes and they're clued up on that now."I want to make sure people get the full story" he Environment Agency has said previously that it is "committed to supporting Bradford-on-Avon in adapting to flood risks through community resilience measures".Wiltshire Council and Wessex Water were among the other organisations there responding to residents.
BBC News
2 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Poole £29m flood defence scheme approved
A £29.4m scheme to protect a town centre from coastal flooding has been approved by a walls and ground-raising are planned along a 1.5km (one mile) stretch of Holes Bay at Poole, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council said the scheme would provide "robust protection until at least 2071, with future upgrades to follow".The money will come from central government and developers. Thousands of properties are at risk from tidal flooding due to climate change and sea level rise over the next 100 years, the council defences are designed to withstand a one in 200-year flooding Andy Hadley, in charge of climate response, said: "This scheme... will complete important flood defences for Poole Old Town. "Once constructed, it will unlock the regeneration potential of Poole's West Quays which has been a long-term ambition of the council."The project includes defences alongside Holes Bay Road, which opened in 1988 on reclaimed will start in August for five months to raise the adjoining coastal path from near Sterte Avenue West to Lifeboat will also be carried out to install sheet piling at the quay and between Whittles Way and Poole the scheme, flood damage could cost more than £161m over the next century, according to South West Flood & group, a partnership between BCP Council and East Devon District Council, said the project would complete Poole's flood defences, after work began in 2018. You can follow BBC Dorset on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Flood awareness event to be held in village
People in South Kesteven will soon get the chance to learn how to reduce the risks of the "devastating impact" of flooding. Experts from the Environment Agency, Anglian Water, and South Kesteven District Council's emergency planning team will be at the meeting next week to answer questions and offer support. Residents will have access to personalised advice and information, along with the opportunity to speak directly with experts about flood protection. Councillor Richard Cleaver said there will be "specific advice on how to be aware of potential flooding, how to prepare your home and what to do if the worst happens". 'Floodpod' A flood victim, who calls herself Flood Mary, will also be at the event to raise awareness of flood risks and discuss about her own experience. There will also be a "FloodPod" which will offer the chance to see, touch and understand how flood defence systems protect homes and businesses. A spokesperson for South Kesteven District Council said the aim of the meeting is to "reduce the devastating impact of floods on individuals, families and businesses". The drop-in event will be held at Billingborough Cricket Club on 28 July from 11:00 BST until 18:00 BST. Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here. Download the BBC News app from the App Store for iPhone and iPad or Google Play for Android devices More on this story Residents to question agency over floods Digger driver rescues his grandparents from flood Flood victims need cash help, says council leader Related internet links South Kesteven District Council Anglian Water Environment Agency
BBC News
3 days ago
- Climate
- BBC News
Flood awareness event to be held in Billingborough
People in South Kesteven will soon get the chance to learn how to reduce the risks of the "devastating impact" of from the Environment Agency, Anglian Water, and South Kesteven District Council's emergency planning team will be at the meeting next week to answer questions and offer will have access to personalised advice and information, along with the opportunity to speak directly with experts about flood protection. Councillor Richard Cleaver said there will be "specific advice on how to be aware of potential flooding, how to prepare your home and what to do if the worst happens". 'Floodpod' A flood victim, who calls herself Flood Mary, will also be at the event to raise awareness of flood risks and discuss about her own experience. There will also be a "FloodPod" which will offer the chance to see, touch and understand how flood defence systems protect homes and businesses. A spokesperson for South Kesteven District Council said the aim of the meeting is to "reduce the devastating impact of floods on individuals, families and businesses".The drop-in event will be held at Billingborough Cricket Club on 28 July from 11:00 BST until 18:00 BST. Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here. Download the BBC News app from the App Store for iPhone and iPad or Google Play for Android devices
BBC News
15-07-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Flood-hit Bradford-on-Avon resudents advised to 'use gaffer tape'
Residents and businesses have been told by the Environment Agency that one option is to use gaffer tape to protect their properties after the chance of a comprehensive £11m flood protection scheme was ruled near Bath, was badly flooded in November 2024 during Storm Withers, the Environment Agency's Area Director for Wessex said that he was "completely comfortable" recommending gaffer tape, because it will "keep water out" longer than sandbags and buy people "thinking time".The agency said a permanent flood scheme for the Wiltshire town was unviable, with prospective costs having more than doubled since it was proposed in 2017. Mr Withers added that those with properties close to the river should be prepared."Having a supply of duct tape or gaffer tape in your shop, to seal up the front door makes a huge difference. Traditionally, everyone thinks sandbags are the answer. "In fact, running gaffer tape around your door will keep water out for far longer than sandbags will."The rejected flood scheme, which involved the installation of low walls and pumping stations, was initially budgeted at £4.5 million, but has since risen to an expected £11 million. David Waldren, owner of The Cake Architect on Silver Street, said he believed the decision over the flood scheme was "short sighted"."It always seems like people don't want to take the risk of making a long-term change," he said."In the long run, it's going to cost more, it's going to cause businesses to close. It's going to cause residents to move out." Town mayor Jack Vittles said that the agency's decision was not a surprise.[It's] definitely disappointing and frustrating [but] not in any way unexpected.""The funding gap was large when they shelved the project a number of years ago. That funding gap has only grown."Environment Agency operations manager Ron Curtis said the agency remains "committed to supporting Bradford-on-Avon in adapting to flood risks through community resilience measures".
