Wiltshire braces for winter floods
Torrential rains have already sparked localised flash flood warnings
Wiltshire is now bracing for a winter of floods after a summer of wildfires.
Torrential rains have already sparked localised flash flood warnings. But the real danger to Wiltshire communities comes when rivers swell, storm drains fill, and large amounts of water have nowhere to go.
In September last year, Calne was hit by flooding with Beech Terrace closed by water.
In November, Storm Bert caused the River Avon at Chippenham to burst its banks. The town was unpassable as key roads were left underwater, and homes and businesses flooded. The floods were the worst in the town since 1968.
In January this year Lacock flooded in the wake of Storm Herminia, while other towns on the River Avon were put on notice.
The wet winter was followed by a hot, dry summer which saw Dorset and Wiltshire Fire Service tackle more than 900 grassland, woodland, and crop fires.
Extended dry spells, heatwaves and high winds created the perfect conditions for wildfires to ignite and spread rapidly, they said.
In July, firefighters battled to contain a field fire at Warminster that was spreading towards houses. Some outbuildings in residential gardens were lost, but thankfully all the homes were saved.
Wiltshire Council says climate change is to blame for our increasingly chaotic weather.
Cllr Paul Sample, Wiltshire Council’s cabinet member for environment, said, “We recognise the growing impact of climate change on local people, the Wiltshire countryside and animal life.
“Severe and unpredictable weather is leading to a rise in the number and severity of both wildfires and intense flooding events in our region.
“Rising temperatures, prolonged dry periods and changing weather patterns – like we have seen this summer – will all contribute to increased fire risk across Wiltshire.”
While there’s little the council can do to effect even the local impacts of a global phenomenon, Cllr Sample said it would use its powers to mitigate against damage to its communities.
“We are hoping to raise awareness of the risks of fire and flooding in all of our towns and villages,” he said.
“We are working closely with the Fire Service and other agencies to share guidance and best practices around wildfires.
“We are also using our communications channels to promote preventative measures which can be taken.
“This includes encouraging responsible land management, reducing combustible vegetation, and understanding fire behaviour.
“We will continue to explore opportunities to expand our outreach and education efforts in this area.”
Extreme weather conditions in the summer and winter months should now be expected every year, according to the Met Office. ‘Spanish plumes’ are more likely to bring heatwaves in the summer months, while milder, wetter winters will be the norm – “with more potential for flooding.”
“With extreme weather events – including heavy rainfall and storms – expected to become more common, this is likely to place additional pressures on local emergency services and infrastructure,” said Cllr Sample, who also chairs the Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Authority’s local performance and scrutiny committee – an all-party group of Wiltshire councillors with oversight of service operations.
“Wiltshire Council will play a key role in supporting flood risk management. The Environment Agency is responsible for managing flood risk from main rivers.
“However, Wiltshire Council collaborates closely with them and other partners through our Operational Flood Working Groups.
“These groups help raise the profile of flooding issues and coordinate local responses. The focus is on those communities located near rivers South of Salisbury Plain, the Kennet and Avon.”
The council is also doing its bit to address drainage issues.
“Wiltshire Council delivers an annual programme of engineering works to address known land drainage issues,” said Cllr Sample.
“We aim to reduce the likelihood of future flooding. But we must be realistic in our expectation and large storm events can still overwhelm some low-lying areas.”
Another way the council can mitigate against extreme weather events – especially heavy rain – is to enforce flood mitigation in the planning process.
“In our role as Local Planning Authority, Wiltshire Council helps protect communities through planning policy and regulation,” said Cllr Sample.
“This includes conducting Strategic Flood Risk Assessments, applying national planning tests, and requiring developers to submit detailed Flood Risk Assessments.
“We also promote sustainable drainage systems and other water attenuation features in new developments to reduce flood risk.”
The council says community engagement and involvement is vital to help the county meet the challenges of climate change.
“Our aim is to work with parish and town councils, residents, businesses, community groups and volunteers,” said Cllr Sample.
“We want to protect this and future generations from the risks created by unpredictable and severe weather events.”