MORE flood prevention measures are planned for 2015 thanks to the work of the Cotswold Flood Action Group.

The Cotswold Flood Action Group was set up in February to help co ordinate the work of the organisations responsible for managing flood risk in the area.

The group which meet every four months is made up of representatives from Gloucestershire County Council, Cotswold District Council, the Environment Agency, Thames Water, Cirencester Town Council, South Cerney Parish Council, Siddington Parish Council, Fairford Town Council, Naunton Parish Council, Bourton-on-the-Water Parish Council and Moreton-in-Marsh Town Council.

Chaired by Cllr Vernon Smith, Gloucestershire County Council’s cabinet member for highways and flood, the group has made significant progress this year in investigating the causes of flooding and identifying the solutions.

As a result, flood alleviation work has been done by the county and district councils in Naunton, South Cerney and Moreton and a scheme is planned for Whelford near Fairford.

Thames Water has replaced one of their pumps at the Naunton pumping station and has undertaken an extensive programme to seal their sewerage systems at a number of locations to prevent ground water seeping into their pipes and causing their systems to surcharge.

There are further plans by Thames Water to line sewers in Naunton and to make improvements to foul water systems in Cirencester and South Cerney. Relining will prevent leakage from open joints and cracked pipes as well as help to reduce infiltration of groundwater into the system.

On School Lane in South Cerney the Environment Agency has carried out the removal of silt and gravel deposits, and Cotswold District Council plan to install an additional pipe and ‘non return’ valve to stop water returning up the pipe at the junction which will assist drainage during a flood.

This week work began to install flood defence protection to 20 properties in Moreton. In January a flow control will be installed in Cotswold District Council’s flood relief ditch and a larger capacity culvert will be laid across the A44 at the old Matcon site.

In the east Cotswolds the county council and Cotswold District Council are working together with a local landowner and Kempsford Parish Council to carry out a flood alleviation scheme in Whelford.

Cllr Vernon Smith, Cabinet member for highways and flood at Gloucestershire County Council, said: “The Cotswold Flood Action Group has made real progress this year in coordinating the actions of all of the agencies to address flooding problems in the Cotswolds. We look forward to continuing this work into 2015.”

Cllr Sue Coakley, Cabinet member for the Environment at Cotswold District Council said: “This is a great example of several key organisations, and the public, coming together to make things happen in the Cotswolds. Residents across the district who have been affected by flooding have noted the impressive scale of improvement work, and they can be assured that more flood prevention projects are in the pipeline next year. I am very grateful to everyone who has contributed to this effort so far, and I look forward to seeing even more progress.”

Lewis Purbrick, Flood Risk Management Advisor at The Environment Agency said: “Being part of the Cotswold Flood Action Group is helping us work more closely with partner organisations and communities. We are working in communities across the Cotswolds throughout the year, understanding what residents expect of us and what other organisations are doing is really helping us prioritise our work.”

Huw Thomas, Local/Regional Government Liaison at Thames Water said, “Having your property flooded with sewage is a miserable experience and sadly that’s been a reality for some people in this area. We’ve been working hard to reduce the risk of it happening and should we experience another wet winter we’re well prepared.”

The action group will continue to meet to receive updates from the various agencies on current and future proposals.