The River Ock divides into an upper and lower stream near Tesco.

In some places, the river has broken its banks. The houses in the background are in the Ladygrove Estate which were flooded last July.

Upper and lower streams run close together on the Ock Valley Walk into town, and the difference in level is normally far greater.

In places the walk goes underwater.

They streams come together just before joing the Thames.

The Ock has been on Flood Watch since January 11th.

(Update: it got worse than these pictures overnight into Thursday but no sign of anybody being flooded, although it looks a close run thing in places.)

Last April there was just the shell of the old petrol station and a hole in the ground, and now there is ‘On the Run’.

Over the last four or so years, Esso has converted many petrol stations to be ‘On the Run’.
On a wet night, like tonight , people can find here a cafe area and a convenience store. Its just off the A34 Marcham interchange, near Tesco.

The petrol price is typical for the area – unfortunately. Prices have not been so high before.

This picnic bench has been near the Thames in Barton Meadows through many winters. It has always appeared robust but is definitely showing its age.

These trees fell into the lower Ock during the July floods last year. The high water will soften their remaining hold on earth.

Over the Marina houses, gulls trail across, and then gather. A few scatter and scout close to ground in search of food, before moving on, back to the rubbish-filled gravel pits south of Abingdon.

The flooded fields and high rivers are not unusual for this time of year. But last summer we saw the water going up to the next level. It gives ‘pause for thought’.

A book called ‘The History of Radley’, produced by the Radley History Club in 2002, says “as early as the 19th century the rich seam of gravel in the area started to be excavated…. small gravel pits were dug in several places… It wasn’t until the 1940s that gravel extraction by Messrs. Amey, Tuckwell, and Curtis began on a more commercial basis., and a large section of lower Radley was given over to this end…“

“.. some of these gravel pits have been filled in over the last fifteen year with fly ash pumped underground from Didcot Power Station… Meanwhile the filling of other pits continues…” This was written before permission was sought to fill in the more established Thrupp Lake (above), and the ensuing Battle for Radley Lakes.

H Tuckwell and sons Ltd have been at Radley since 1947. They continue to work the area, and are currently seeking planning permission for a five year extension to continue working the gravel and other aggregates within their current bounds.

In another five years they will know whether they can extend their works at Radley. That will depend on where Oxfordshire County Council allow quarrying in future – something under review. Important factors in any review should be the effect on the flood plain, and how well other land in the area has been restored, and the views of the local community.