Oxford flood alleviation scheme: design consultation
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Detail of outcome
This report provides a summary of the responses of the Environment Agency’s online public consultation, held between 22 June and 20 July 2017, to obtain public views about detailed design options for the Oxford Flood Alleviation Scheme. These included the design of new bridges, location of benches and cycle racks and style of information boards. They also asked for information on how people use areas of the scheme that might be impacted by construction, and for general feedback.
The Environment Agency held information sharing events before the consultation. They held library events after 22 June to help members of the public access and fill in the online consultation.
There were 91 consultation responses in total. Online submissions, where permission has been given, can be found on the Environment Agency’s consultation website.
The consultation responses found that:
- Bridge options 2a and 2b were most popular. Many people considered it important that the bridge was sympathetic to the surrounding environment.
- Most people were in favour of benches and cycle racks in certain locations. Northway cycle path was most popular for cycle racks and Willow Walk was most popular for benches. However, a few people were not in favour of either and mentioned perceived urbanisation of rural areas.
- Information boards were popular. Most people wanted information about plants and animals. A few people commented that the presence of information boards could spoil natural areas.
- Key times and types of use were identified for transport and walking routes that are likely to be impacted during construction.
- General feedback about the scheme: the main topics were the design of the scheme, the look of the scheme area, preserving archaeology, environmental opportunities and potential impacts, flood risk, construction and opportunities for access improvements.
Original consultation
Consultation description
The Environment Agency and their partners are working together to develop a flood alleviation scheme to reduce flood risk to properties, transport links and infrastructure in Oxford. In addition, the scheme aims to protect Oxford’s reputation as a thriving commercial centre, and create and maintain recreational and environmental opportunities.
The scheme will involve lowering parts of the floodplain and widening some of the existing rivers and streams that run through it, to increase capacity for flood water and divert it away from developed areas of the floodplain. Following a public consultation in January 2015, the project team developed a route for the scheme, and are now working on the design.
They would like to hear your views on specific elements of the design, as well as general feedback on the scheme, to help inform the design and construction.
After this consultation, the Environment Agency will determine the final design for the scheme. They will take into account public opinion alongside the feedback from a consultation with the local planning authority. The final design will be submitted for planning permission in late 2017.
The Environment Agency will publish the outcomes from the public consultation in August 2017 and will share the final design of the scheme in late 2017.
Last updated 18 October 2017 + show all updates
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Updated September 2017.
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Updated with new consultation dates.
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First published.