29/7/07 County council Flood Update

TODAY’S KEY MESSAGES FOR SUNDAY 29 JULY

from Gloucestershire county council

Last night’s rain was not as prolonged as expected, with 10 millimetres falling on average. This produced a small rise in the river levels and some flood warnings are still in place. In the meantime, water levels at Mythe and Gloucester are dropping by approximately twenty centimetres a day. The forecast for the next few days is for dry weather.

Severn Trent have confirmed that semi-permanent flood defences at Mythe are now in place and that those at Walham and Castlemeads are close to completion.

 The supply of water from Mythe has now begun on a phased basis to a limited number of communities, but the water is “grey” and must not be used for drinking or for brushing teeth, even after boiling. However, it can be safely used for washing, including of clothes.

Effectively, it has been necessary for the whole system at Mythe to be re-started from scratch.

From yesterday, bowsers were being routinely re-filled up to four times a day.

Severn Trent also say that the sewerage system seems to be functioning as normal, although as a precaution, they have increased resources to teams monitoring the situation. And now that the supply of water is beginning to flow again, health protection monitoring has been stepped up.

On the roads, it has been confirmed that the A417 at Maisemore has been re-opened and is being used by traffic. The A40 at Walham remains closed at present, but it is expected to be cleared and open again this afternoon. The closure remains in place for now ,while equipment and plant is removed from the carriageway, along with an abandoned vehicle on the Longford roundabout.

 Gloucestershire Highways are continuing the process of clearing road gullies throughout the county.

As for Shire Hall, it is currently hoped that staff may be able to return on a phased basis from Tuesday, but the situation is being monitored and there will be more news on this tomorrow (Monday).

And comprehensive support for vulnerable people, both the young and the elderly, continues to be a key priority.