MORE flood prevention measures are planned for 2015 thanks to the work of an action group.
The Cotswold Flood Action Group was set up in February 2014 to help co ordinate the work of the organisations responsible for managing flood risk in the area and is made up from representatives from parish and town councils, Thames Water and the Environment Agency.
There are plans by by Thames Water to make improvements to foul water systems in Cirencester and South Cerney and to line sewers in Naunton.
Relining will prevent leakage from open joints and cracked pipes as well as help to reduce infiltration of groundwater into the system.
Thames Water has already replaced one of its pumps at the Naunton pumping station and sealed the village's sewerage systems at a number of locations to prevent ground water seeping into pipes and causing their systems to break down.
Flood alleviation work has been also been planned for Moreton-in-Marsh and Whelford near Fairford.
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.
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.”