One week after floods devastated an estate in South Abingdon, the path to Tesco remains underwater.

The water is still draining from fields and waterways.

Residents suffered significant damage, throwing out ruined furniture, carpets, and appliances. Recovery will take time. Some had just made the repairs from January’s event and there was more flood water this time. It reached many more homes.

Increased flood risk means the Environment Agency (EA) needs to update flood maps. Additionally, questions remain about why a container meant for flood response equipment was empty. Neither was a temporary flood barrier deployed this time or in January. In January, the EA said it couldn’t be deployed in time, and there was even less time last week.

Another important question to answer is whether the EA will reconsider the flood defence scheme rejected in 2018 due to lack of funding. The EA cited high costs and difficulty securing additional funding from partners for rejecting the flood storage area, the other side of the A34. Partners were local councils and businesses. That scheme was the outcome of a process that began with the 2007 flood and involved the development of various proposed solutions. But since it was rejected there have been no further investigation of long term solutions. Layla Moran, the local MP made a visit to the area, and said ‘It’s time to look again at the case for an Abingdon Flood Defence Scheme.’

Residents in Abingdon faced repeated flooding, with several roads affected for the second time this year.

Homes in Chaunterell Way, Nash Drive, Orpwood Way, Medlicott Drive, and Francis Little Drive on the Ladygrove Estate have been flooded or come close to flooding, causing damage and disruption.

To mitigate the impact of flooding, local residents implemented makeshift roadblocks to prevent vehicles from splashing water into homes.

Sandbags, while useful in some cases, were insufficient to safeguard many homes as water came up through floors.

The financial burden and devastation on residents is substantial. Not to mention the worry.

Beyond the Ladygrove Estate, flooding also affected a small area of Tower Close, located on the other side of Drayton Road. (A drain expert had been called but could do nothing.)

Drayton Road was not very far from reaching tipping point and flooding properties.

The repeated flooding incidents in Abingdon highlight the need to look again at an effective flood management strategy to protect residents and their properties from the River Ock. A previous flood storage scheme was rejected as not being cost effective.

There was a flood warning for properties closest to the River Ock from Tesco to St. Helen’s Wharf on 24 September 2024 at 7:17 pm.

It said property flooding is expected. ‘River levels are rising on the River Ock as a result of very heavy rainfall yesterday. Therefore, flooding of property closest to the river is expected this evening, 24/09/24, in the Abingdon area. Areas most at risk are Nash Drive, Chaunterell Way, Mill Paddock, Orpwood Way and St Helens Mill.’

The Tesco carpark had flooded and the store closed earlier in the evening.

Residents were having an anxious wait as the water level rose during the evening. It had started to flow over into Chaunterell Way.

The water was also flowing into Nash Drive.

According to the Ock Monitoring station, the river level continued to rise after these pictures were taken at 9:30 pm …

Flooding has been a problem near the River Ock in South Abingdon. A few homes were flooded earlier this year. To help, a container has been placed near the Chaunterell Way Playground. It holds equipment to help people during floods. This equipment can be quickly given to residents if needed. (By equipment I think we are talking sandbags, but it may include a flood barrier.)

Around the Chaunterell Playground, about a dozen fruit trees have also been planted. These include plums, pears, and apples. (They are £7.50 each or two for £12.)