Flooding 24 November 2024

• Thank you to everyone who filled in the flood surveys and returned them to OCC and WODC – they are going to start looking at flood mitigation measures but there are 30 other parishes in the queue with us.
• The culverts on the A361 have been cleared by the landowner – under the road was cleared when the water pushed through
• The drainage ditch at the side of the B4477 next to the Chauveau’s field wall just off the A361 we have ascertained is not registered to anyone – therefore WODC and OCC have told us that it is a parish responsibility. The water in this ditch goes into a pipe by a brick building at the side of he field and then goes underground and emerges the other side of the field gate entrance into another ditch, inside the field,  which flows into the mill bypass and on to the brook. We are currently seeking advice as to whether this ditch should be clear running or should hold vegetation as acting partly as a soakway with foliage naturally dispersing some water. If we clear it then the water will run through quicker but we do not want to “solve” a problem just to move it further down the road. To clear this small length of ditch will cost between £2k and 2.5k
• Highway drainage – the drains in the road are blocked. We reported this a few times in 2024 the last time on 9 October. OCC have told us they were cleared on 13 December however we have taken photos again today and they have not been cleared. We are no conversing with the Assistant Director of Operations and the Head Group Manager for Maintenance and Operations to get these properly cleared out.
• The level survey has been undertaken on the bund and it has dropped but only by 100mm – we have a contractor who will build this up for us but have now been told we need an ecology survey before works can take place. We only have til 31/03/25 to undertake these works so we are hoping the weather is kind to us.

The parish council is very busy battling with the bureaucracy and we will continue. We have also joined (as a Parish Council) a Joint Flood Prevention Group which meets roughly monthly. We will be attending our first meeting at the end of January. This will enable us to join with Bampton, Black Bourton, Clanfield, Brize Norton and Alvescot among others in liaising with OCC and WODC which should lend more weight to our requests.

Notes from recent flood meeting with OCC and WODC click here- Notes from Flood meeting 061224

Help required – please click link Rural Crime Partnership

Bio- Dioversity projects – We are looking to undertake some projects in 2024/25. The areas suggested are Hardcastles Field, Vale Wood and Hedge Ground. Do you have any suggestions? Please let us know.

Communications – This is a problem for all Parish Councils- how to communicate with residents. If you have any suggestions how you would like to receive communications from us or give us your suggestions please let us know.

Dog Poo– With residents being at home more there has been an increase of dog walking. Please can you pick up the poo at all times. Bag it and take it home or put it in one of the dog bins in our villages. This is harmful to humans, cattle and horses. There has been an increase in dog poo outside Bulls Close right next to the bin! Please pick it up and in Rouses Lane and around the village centre

COMPLAIN ABOUT LOW FLYING

If you wish to make a complaint about activity within the RAF Brize Norton Control Zone (pictured above) please use the following details below to register a complaint, please be aware that flying complaints are responded to within 20 working days.

Phone us: on 01993 896500

Email us at: BZN-OpsWg-FlyingComplaints@mod.gov.uk

Write to us: Low Flying Complaints, Operations Wing, RAF Brize Norton, Carterton, OX18 3LX

To make a complaint, send the following information:

• your name
• full address and postcode
• telephone number
• date and time of the problem
• location of the problem
• type of aircraft, if known
• a brief description of your complaint

Brize Defence Aerodrome Manual