Come and Meet Us
Saturday 11 October 9am onwards – Outside Woolgate Entrance
Saturday 25 October 10am-2pm – Waterways Fair, Corn Exchange.
Dear Supporters, welcome to our latest update on activities and progress to date as we continue our work on
Witney’s behalf.
Witney Flood Wardens – This is now a well-established
group, all 7 of us meet and communicate regularly on a
WhatsApp group. We have allocated ourselves to
various areas at risk. Our latest initiative is to do some
light clearance work on the Windrush because we want
to see much improved maintenance standards. We
report obstructions to the Environment Agency Help
Line and to the OCC Highways Team.
Email: wardens@witneyfloodgroup.co.uk
Council Engagement – Our relationship continues to
build, and we are in partnership more than ever before
at Town, District and County level. There have been
several occasions of great positive encouragement,
which continues to fuel our desire for more. And
financial support for more sensors, insurance, website
development and materials for public engagement given
we are a non-profit group.
Environment Agency – The EA continues to work on a
long-term Flood Alleviation scheme for Witney, which is
at modelling stage and will continue until mid 2026,
after which the business case will be reviewed. We are
very concerned after the local EA representative stated
that the EA is no longer funded for enforcement of poor
maintenance, so we will be asking our MP to take this
issue it up with DEFRA and at the Commons.
River Sensors Project – Following the creation of a
second business case for 4 more sensors and
maintenance of our existing array of 7 sensors, OCC has
funded us for an extension. They are also providing
funding for maintenance of the river which will be
undertaken by the Town Council team who have the
people and equipment to do so.
Maintenance and Riparian Owners – We recently
completed a detailed survey of the Windrush from Langel
Common to Bathing Place, highlighting obstructions and
recording evidence – photos, locations, owners, what we
expect done. This effort ensures better standards of
maintenance and enables authorities to be aware of
landowners who do not keep watercourses clear of
obstructions.
Flooded People UK – We are extremely proud to
partner with Flooded People UK, a new organisation
which brings people who are impacted by flooding
together as part of one national community. They
offer peer support and are building a collective voice
for change, ultimately to influence central
government thinking and decision making. Please visit
their website, sign up or join. Web:
www.floodedpeople.org.uk
Major Website Update – We have recently set up our
new website which contains a lot of information on
who we are, why we are doing what we are doing. It
is both a source of information for people to learn
about what we are doing, so much of which is behind
the scenes and entirely of our own doing out of care
for our community and friends in Witney. Web:
www.witneyfloodgroup.co.uk
Waterways Fair 2025 – We will be present at this
event at the Corn Exchange on Saturday, 25 October
having persuaded the District Council to hold this
type of event again and make it much open to public
participation and engagement. Web:
news.westoxon.gov.uk/news/residents-invited-toexplore-
the-future-of-our-rivers-and-streams
Help Needed
Feedback – Contact us so we can add you to our mailing lists for updates, share our Facebook and Nextdoor
socials, and get your feedback.
Volunteer – We are seeking experience and help with: Communications, Marketing, Social Media,
We Are:
Witney Flood Group: William, Tony, Mike, Keith
Flood Wardens: Chris, Darren, Dean, Mike, Steve, Terry, William