FLOOD PREVENTION IN THE VILLAGE

Following the Hallowe’en flash flood in 2021, the parish council and a group of village residents have investigated various flood mitigation measures, so as to avoid a repeat of the flood damage that several people suffered – and the loss of our village pub for many months.

Warning

The Environment Agency are warning that there is a likelihood of flooding across the UK again this winter, due to climate change causing more extreme weather events.
Dorset Council and the Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group have been working with us, and sandbags are now stored at Manor Farm, and available FOC to anyone who wants them.

Sandbags

Alban Harris can deliver sandbags, if you are not able to collect them yourself – just let him know.
One of the problems we have in the village is that the rainwater gulleys in the roads become blocked by leaves, straw, mud and so on – typical debris for such a rural location.

Keeping alert

As you will be aware, in heavy rain the water tends to race down the roads towards the lowest points of the village.
For this reason, it is very important to try to keep the gulleys clear, so that the rainwater can flow into them and underground to the stream at the bottom of the village.
It would, therefore, be extremely helpful if you could watch out for blocked gulleys outside your house, or when walking along the roads, and keep them clear by kicking away the leaves and mud that may have built up.

What to do

If you notice the gulley is silted up and will not clear itself, please let someone from the parish council know, or contact Justin Parsons at 1 Bridge Cottages (07792 830449) who is our village Flood Warden, and the gulley will be cleared out by Highways.

Thank you for your help.
Alban Harris
Stourton Caundle Parish Council