Banbury flooding

• why is Banbury at risk of flooding


  • low lying land near rivers
  • surrounded by lots of drainage basins
  • impermeable surfaces
  • surrounded by steep hill (rapid surface runoff)
  • near a river confluence of a Thames tributary
• what are the impacts of Banbury's previous floods


  • 1998 - 150 homes and businesses affected
  • £12.5 million in damage
  • 2007 - severe flooding affecting central and Western England
• what has Banbury done to reduce the risk of flooding 2012 flood defence scheme


  • 2.9 km Earth embankment built parallel to the M40 motorway to create a flood storage area - capable of holding 3 million cubic metres of water
  • raising A361 road
  • new pumping station to transfer excess rainwater into the river
  • creation of Biodiversity action plan habitat with ponds, trees etc to absorb excess water
• what are the social impacts of Banbury schemes


  • reduced anxiety of locals due to fear of flooding
  • quality of life improved for locals with new footpaths and green areas
  • raised A361 route into Banbury will be open during a flood to avoid ruining peoples lives
• what are the economic impacts of Banbury schemes

  • £18.5 million cost of scheme
  • donors included Environment agency and Cherwell District council
  • benefits estimated to be over £100 million by protecting 441 houses and 73 commercial properties
• what are the environmental impacts of the Banbury schemes


  • 100 000 tonnes of earth required to build embankment - extracted from nearby creating a reservoir
  • new biodiversity action plan
  • part of the floodplain will be deliberately allowed to flood if river levels are too high