11.9 Managing floods at Banbury

Question 1

How has Banbury been affected by flooding?

Answer 1

➢ In 1998 flooding led to the closure of the town’s railway station
➢ Causing £12.5 million worth of damage

Question 2

What has been done to reduce the risk of flooding in Banbury?

Answer 2

➢ In 2012 a 2.9km earth embankment was finally built - to create a flood storage area
➢ It has a maximum height of 4.5m and is capable of holding 3million cubic metres of water
➢ It collects rainwater
➢ Specially designed to avoid the need to open and close flood gates by having excess water filling up the reservoir instead of continuing towards Banbury

Question 3

What are the additional flood defences to reduce the risk of flooding?

Answer 3

➢ A new pumping station has been built to transfer excess rainwater into the river below the town
➢ New floodwalls built to protect property and businesses

Question 4

What are the social issues and benefits of the project?

Answer 4

➢ Reduced levels of anxiety and depression through fear of flooding
➢ Quality of life for local people is improved with new footpaths and green areas
➢ Deprives people of river access for fishing and boating

Question 5

What are the economic benefits and issues of the project?

Answer 5

➢ The cost of the scheme was £18.5 million

➢ Protects 441 houses and benefits of the scheme are estimated to be over £100 million

Question 6

What are the environmental issues and benefits of the project?

Answer 6

➢ Around 100 000 tonnes of earth were required to build the embankment
➢ A new Biodiversity action plan has been created which increases the amount of ponds, trees and hedgerows