Flooding: Officials contiue optimism

11:02am Saturday 19th January 2008

Oxfordshire's emergency planners this morning continued to say they were optimistic there would not be widespread flooding.

Dave Etheridge, the county's Assistant Chief Fire Officer, said today Oxfordshire's authorities were hopeful there was not a high risk but were remaining alert to respond.

A county spokesman said water levels on the River Thames were continuing to rise slowly but steadily as predicted.

However it was not envisaged that this will lead to large scale flooding, he added.

Levels on smaller Oxfordshire rivers are falling.

Mr Etheridge said: "The message is more optimistic.

"We are grateful for the low rainfall levels. However some more rain is predicted so we remain cautious, vigilant and ready to respond."

John Kelly, Oxfordshire County Council's emergency planning officer, added: "Agencies are continuing to work very closely together and I am grateful for their efforts.

"We'd all like to praise residents across the county for the way they have worked with us in the past few days."

There will be a stock of sand and sandbags available for the public in Oxfordshire at the following locations: PC World - Botley Road, Redbridge Park and Ride - Abingdon Road, Wallingford - Old Waitrose car park, Henley - Waitrose car park (due tomorrow), West Oxfordshire - in flood hit towns, Abingdon - Homebase car park

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