MP claims progress made on flooding issues in the Cotswolds

Cotswold MP Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown has claimed that progress is being made in preventing flooding across the district since the devastating floods in 2007.

The MP has held public meetings over the issue of flooding for over a decade, now holding two meetings a year. 

One of the biggest concerns raised at these meetings has been the effect of new developments, especially in Moreton. 

Public flood meeting (Image: Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown)

Mr Clifton-Brown said that the government intends to make all new developments required by law, to implement sustainable drainage schemes, ultimately reducing flooding and keeping freshwater out of sewers.

A definitive timetable has not been published and so the MP has promised to continue putting pressure on the government wherever possible.

In the most recent meeting on April 26, representatives from Gloucestershire County Council, Cotswold District Council, Gloucestershire Highways, Thames Water and the Environment Agency all attended. 

The meeting was well attended by members of the public and gave a chance for the various agencies to receive feedback to the work that they are doing, whilst at the same time making it more difficult for any blame to be shifted.

Since the last meeting, a new working group has been set up in Morton in Marsh, and the MP claimed that Moreton and Bledington have both made progress in terms of natural flood management.

Mr Clifton-Brown said: "The fact that there was unanimous demand from members of the public that they wanted these meetings to continue twice yearly, rather than yearly, demonstrates that they do achieve positive results in reducing flooding in a range of towns and villages.

"Thames Water has submitted an upgrade of the Sewage Treatment Works for the new investment period 2024/25, which if approved by OFWAT will cost several million pounds.

"The extra capacity this will provide will reduce storm overflows into the River Evenlode and help with the sewage settlement around Primrose Court.

"In relation to Bledington which suffered bad flooding in the past the new flood alleviation scheme is in the advanced stages of planning and will hopefully be completed this year and should provide protection in the future for several homes from flooding.”