Case study - Banbury

• Where is Banbury?


  • south East England, Oxfordshire
  • Population - 45,000
  • Located on a FLOODPLAIN on the River Charwell (tributary of Thames)
• Why was a river management scheme needed?

  • Banbury is on a floodplain and is prone to sever flooding
  • In 1998 a large flood leg to almost £13 million costs in damage
  • 150 homes detroyed and lives where disrupted(S)
  • Businesses destroyed (E)
  • Habitats and ecosystems destroyed (Env)
• What was the management strategy?

  • The Env agency was created to manage flood risks - they created a defence scheme with 5 strategies
• What is strategy 1?

  • The A361 was raised to improve drainage beneath roads
  • The roads are no longer prone to flooding
• What is strategy 2?

  • Pumping station built at Moorfield Brook
  • Transfers excess water downstream
• What is strategy 3?

  • A 2m x 400m long embankment was built in front of industrial estate
  • Protects it from flood damage
• What is strategy 4?

  • New man made ponds and greenery
  • Provides more interception
  • More areas to absorb and store excess water
• What is strategy 5?

  • Flood storage area
  • Embankment parallel to the M40
  • Controls the rate of flow of the river
• What are social issues with flood management?

  • A361 is raised - no longer affected by flooding, meaning it won't disrupt peoples daily lives as much as they can still drive around to work and school
  • The new green areas and footpaths have improved the quality of life for local people
  • Reduced stress about flooding for local people
• What are economic issues with flood management?

  • Verrryyyyy expensive - is it worth it if it will just flood again in 10 years?
  • Does the cost outweigh the benefits - banbury cost was £19 mil but it saved about £100 mil of damage so it is worth it
  • 500 houses are protected from flooding - increases property value
• What are environmental issues with flood management?

  • 100,000 tonnes of earth was required to make the embankment, which damages habitat
  • New ponds and green spaces aswell as the resivoir provides a habitat for wildlife