The Hinksey and Osney Environment Group (HOEG) enjoyed Toby Oliver’s report last week titled ` Flood alleviation scheme needs to be ready to go' (Oxford Times February 13, p4).
Despite its `Oxford' content, the article focuses on a Parliamentary motion from Henley and Thame MP Freddie van Mierlo about eligibility of rural communities for a share of the current £2.65bn flood funding over the next two years, and calling for activation of a Flood Recovery Framework.
The article cites Wheatley and Tiddington, which are in the MP’s own constituency just west of the city.
Concerning the Oxford content, the Oxford Flood Alliance (OFA) is quoted: “ The funding of £175m was raised for [the Oxford Flood Alleviation] scheme, but there are still some gaps which this investment would help”.
It would be good to see OFA’s `gaps‘ set out in a revised planning application, including changes that the Environment Agency told the recent Public Inquiry would be `details of scheme design’, changes that would jointly save five years in delivery.
And in parallel, OFA could explain the proposed big excavation on the Hinksey meadowland. Its original purpose was argued in great detail by the Environment Agency in 2019, only to be dismissed three years later. But the dimensions are unchanged.
OFA’s members were classified as `supporters‘ of the Oxford scheme throughout the public inquiry and the planning process, while HOEG were `objectors’.
We now welcome their constructive involvement in improving the scheme.
Yours sincerely,
Chris Sugden (Canon Dr) Convenor, Hinksey and Osney Environment Group
Brian Durham, South Oxford Flood Action Group