Good news on Westerleigh smell

Wessex Water have written to Claire Young to say they have planned a Flood Alleviation Scheme to address the flooding and odour issues in Westerleigh. This will introduce a new section of sewer that will take the discharge from the abattoir and bypass the village. The design has been signed off and works are scheduled to commence in September 2018.

They have also agreed to attend a meeting. Claire will be liaising with them and Westerleigh Parish Council to make arrangements.

Flood risk plans now online

Cllrs Tony Davis and Claire Young at the flooding exhibition

At the Environment Agency's drop-in exhibition on the risk of river flooding in the Yate and Chipping Sodbury area in March, local councillor Claire Young asked them to make the plans available online for those who couldn't attend.

They have now published the plans on their website. If you would like to make comments, you can email them to mark.goldingay@environment-agency.gov.uk

River Frome flood risks - exhibition 1st March

The Environment Agency is looking into the risk of river flooding in Yate and Chipping Sodbury and what options there might be to reduce this. Their study is at a very early stage.

They are holding a public exhibition in the Charter Suite at Chipping Sodbury Town Hall on Wednesday 1st March from 2.30 to 7.30 pm.

The area involved runs from St Johns Way through the centre of Sodbury, The Elms, The Ridge, then right past the Riverside complex, and out along Greenways Road and Cranleigh Court through to Stover Road. So anyone living in those areas might want to come along - if you're not at risk of flooding yourself, you might still be interested or concerned about potential flood works along the river.

Come along to their public exhibition to find out more about your current flood risk and what might be possible as part of a future flood alleviation scheme.

Your views and your local knowledge really matter! At the exhibition they would like to hear your views on:
• any flooding problems in the past
• their initial plans and options

You can call in at any time during the exhibition. They will be on hand to answer your questions, hear your views and to give you more information about flood protection, flood warnings and community flood plans.

Flood Risk – have your say about vulnerable areas

South Glos Council is developing a Flood Risk Management Strategy, and they are keen to hear your thoughts and experiences on areas in South Gloucestershire that have been flooded in the past or that may be vulnerable to flooding in the future and how you think these risks should be managed.

You can have your say online here

Flood alert for River Frome from Chipping Sodbury to Bristol

The Environment Agency has issued a Flood Warning Alert for the River Frome and tributaries between Chipping Sodbury and Bristol Floating Harbour.

There is already localised flooding on minor roads in our areas - the Ruffet Road/Coalsack Lane junction, for example - so be prepared for your journey to work to take longer on some routes.

For further updates, keep an eye on the Environment Agency website. You can find lots of other useful information there too about preparing for flooding and can sign up to the Flood Warnings Direct service.

Update Friday 14/01/2011: It's been pointed out that we should have referred to a flood alert rather than warning - an alert is less serious (though there was in fact a flood warning at one point from Nibley down to Bristol). The flood alert is still in force as at 0845 today.

St Johns Way flooding risk - housing decision delayed

Focus Team member Paul Jobbins at the area that has flooded already at St Johns Way

The St Johns Way area of Chipping Sodbury is one that would be particularly vulnerable to flooding if some of the government's proposed thousands of houses are built nearby. As we reported before, hundreds of people responded to our campaign and local campaigns like BS37action. In fact the government received so many objections that they are still going through them all. Their decision was due in January, but it's now been delayed. Maybe they might listen for once? Let's hope so.

Flood waters

	The water has gone down a couple of feet now, but even in the middle of Chipping Sodbury the river is still rushing quickly. At one point the water reached the top of the arch under the Wickwar Road bridge. Meanwhile in Yate, residents in Cranleigh Court received calls from the Environment Agency the other day warning them that they were within two feet of being flooded.

Nothing like places like Tewkesbury, of course, but let's hope we don't get too much more rain until the current lot has drained away.