Expert warns of flood devastation (From Stroud News and Journal)

Expert warns of flood devastation

A FORMER land drainage expert has warned that storms could trigger a catastrophic flood and engulf swathes of Stroud.

As the Environment Agency published its online flood map Martin Neville, from Frampton Mansell, called for the urgent installation of flood defences in the upper catchment area of the River Frome fearing one big rainfall could land the town in deep water.

"We've never had a five-inch storm in the upper catchment area of the Frome in living memory and I've lived on the upper reaches for 40 years," he said.

"We've never had a really big flood down the valley. It can happen next year, tomorrow or whenever. It's not a river that is capable of taking a major flood. It's so compressed now. All the millponds have been filled in."

He outlined his fear that the risk of flooding is being worsened by building on the flood plain and increased run-off rates while also arguing the planned revival of Stroudwater Canal will heighten the flood risk by adding to the sum of water in the valley.

Environment Agency spokesman Oliver Blackburn acknowledged the precariousness of the situation.

He said: "It is safe to say we are aware of the risks of flooding in the Frome Valley especially with new developments. That is quite an immediate situation so we are working to limit the impact if that sort of weather system did appear.

"We always take a precautionary principle when considering applications and object to those developments in the floodplain."

The agency is soon to decide if a flood warning should be imposed on the river. Meanwhile it is clearing parts of the river at Chalford and studying the feasibility of routine debris clearance along the waterway.

It has also carried out an awareness campaign urging riverside business to ensure they do not increase the flood risk by allowing debris into the river that could lead to blockages.