Residents flock to Shepperton flood fair

Apr 28 2009 By Adam Courtney

WITH 5,000 Spelthorne homes at risk from flooding, it was no surprise so many residents attended a 'Flood Fair' at Shepperton Lock Island on Saturday.

Representatives from the Environment Agency, as well as companies selling flood protection devices, advised residents about steps that can be taken to prevent flooding in homes and drives.

Many people affected by the serious floods in 2003 were in attendance, including Janet Matthews, of Towpath, Shepperton, whose garden was flooded six years ago.

She said: "It's a subject close to many peoples' hearts in Spelthorne and it was very well attended. It was almost like a community get together, as many people reminisced about the 2003 floods and about topics such as new homes being built in the flood plain."

Residents could, from a variety of stands, check if their homes were in a risk area, find out about flood warning services, get advice on preventative steps, and develop their own flood plans.

Spelthorne Council leader John Packman said: “We are looking at ways we can help to prevent flood damage but we also want to encourage people to do what they can themselves. This is because many thousands of people in the borough are at risk from flooding and the council has only limited resources to cope with emergency demands."

Mary Dhonau of the National Flood Forum said: “The fair offered residents who have suffered the heartbreak of flooding the chance to talk about their experience with people who know just what it’s like."

Mrs Matthews was disappointed with the expense of some of the devices on sale, which she said cost £175 per block.

She said: "It's a good idea to have something more permanent, rather than having to buy sandbags every time there's a risk of a flood, but I felt there were too expensive. All in all, though, the people were very helpful and I think it was useful for a lot of residents."

*Meanwhile, designers are working on a new dedicated 24-hour mooring site at Weybridge, opposite Shepperton Lock Island. Building is expected to begin in April 2010.