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Flood Risk Fears

Written by Editor

Flood in 1954

With recent images of the catastrophic flooding of Tewkesbury and Worcester during this Summer's unprecented downpours, residents of Christchurch have voiced concern on the town's possible danger of severe flooding. The most recent flooding of any merit was in 2000 and 1979. After the latter, flood defences were built to protect the town especially the properties bordering the lower River Stour, Quomps and Wick Lane.

Christchurch lies at the conjunction of two rivers and bordered by the sea. High winds and rainfall over a long period and unusually high tides will inevitably push water further back up the rivers and cause flooding in the low lying areas of the town.

Fortunately the north side of town and the Avon Valley are kept as pasture which become flood plains when needed to absorb the extra amounts of water flowing downstream and the tidal water pushing against it.

Residents of Purewell and Stanpit have asked ward representatives to seek assurance that measures are in the pipeline to protect the low lying areas of the town. Cllr. Ray Nottage asked to know what plans were in place to handle an ingress of flood water similar to Tewkesbury.

Flood in 1894

Allan Griffiths, council leader, said that neither the council or Environment Agency could prevent flooding. He also said that when flooding occurs that they manage the consequences effectively. The flood walls built after the serious floods of 1979 were designed to cope with once in a century unusual weather conditions plus some "freeboard" had been built in to meet the threat of rising sea levels.

Recent studies have showed that the defences will need to be raised or rebuilt within the next 25 years. The Environment Agency was assesing the economic benefits of a flood alleviation scheme for the harbourside areas of Mudeford and Stanpit.

Learnt from past events, a joint plan of involving the Environment Agency and the council would provide "early warning" and evacuation of residents if necessary.