12 October 2026
Living Next to a Stream? Know Your Responsibilities
Some great work by villagers recently helping keep Bloxham Brook clear! They cleared excess weeds and branches, and even a railway sleeper.
Here is some relevant information if you own land or property alongside a stream, brook or river. If you do you are likely to be a riparian owner, with responsibilities for the watercourse.
These include allowing water to flow naturally, dealing with obstructions that could cause flooding, preventing pollution and protecting wildlife. Ownership can extend to the centre of a boundary watercourse, unless property deeds state otherwise.
Check before undertaking dredging, alterations or construction, as permission may be required.
In Bloxham, responsible watercourse management helps reduce flood risk.
Keep drains clear. Slow the flow.
For more information, read the Environment Agency's official guidance:
Owning a watercourse – GOV.UK
1 October 2026
Highway drainage work underway in Bloxham
Work is taking place in Bloxham today to repair damaged highway gullies, helping to restore the drainage system ahead of the wetter months.
This is being followed by further planned maintenance. Under Oxfordshire County Council's current Highways Maintenance Gully Emptying Programme, Bloxham is scheduled for gully cleaning during October 2026.
Keeping highway drains and gullies in good repair and clear of silt and debris is an important part of reducing surface-water flood risk in the village and supports our message: Keep drains clear. Slow the flow.
Residents can help when the gully-cleaning crews are working in Bloxham by avoiding parking over or immediately alongside road gullies wherever possible, giving crews access to clean them.
The October programme is subject to change, so timings may vary. More information: Oxfordshire County Council — maintaining roads and highways →
23 September 2026
Workhouse Lane — partners identify further practical measures
A meeting was held today to discuss ways of reducing flood events in the Workhouse Lane area. Representatives attended from Bloxham School, Bloxham Parish Council, Oxfordshire County Council, affected residents and the Flooding Working Group.
Several new practical measures were identified for further action. The focus is on holding back water and slowing the flow into Workhouse Lane, alongside the continuing investigation of drainage solutions in this part of the village. Further updates will be published as the measures are developed and progressed.
23 September 2026
Stop Bloxham Flooding website launched
The new Stop Bloxham Flooding website is now live. It brings together information about why Bloxham floods, current projects, Natural Flood Management, practical advice for residents, evidence and reports, flood photographs and video, and information for farmers and landowners.
Its central message is simple: Keep drains clear. Slow the flow. The website will also provide a permanent home for future news and progress reports.
June 2026
Natural Flood Management feasibility work published
The Bloxham Natural Flood Management feasibility work by Thames21, supported by Oxfordshire County Council which funded the work, was published. It assesses opportunities to slow and temporarily store runoff in the wider catchment and provides evidence to help guide discussions with participating landowners and future project design.
The study identified about 3,535 m³ of potential temporary storage across the proposals studied. Natural Flood Management is one part of the response and needs to work alongside effective drainage within the village.
2026 programme
The Slade — Natural Flood Management work progressing
The Slade is one of the current areas of practical Natural Flood Management activity, including leaky woody dams and measures intended to spread and slow flows. The objective is to delay some runoff during periods of heavy rain and reduce the speed at which water moves downstream.
Since Storm Bert · November 2024
From flood investigation to practical action
Following the serious flooding during Storm Bert, work has included investigation of drainage problems, clearance activity, partnership discussions, surveys and development of possible flood-reduction measures. The programme now combines work on village drainage with investigation of opportunities to slow runoff in the surrounding catchment.
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