THE Environment Agency has issued a flood alert warning for the River Thames and its tributaries through the Oxford area.

Flood alerts now cover the river from the boundary with Gloucestershire near Lechlade through Oxford to Radley, meaning that flooding of low-lying ground near the river can be expected but there is no immediate threat to properties.

Flood alerts are also in force on other Oxfordshire rivers and watercourses following the recent heavy rain. These are:

  • River Cherwell from Cherwellton through Cropredy, Banbury and the Heyfords to Oxford.
  • River Evenlode from Moreton-in-Marsh to Cassington, including the Wychwoods and Charlbury.
  • River Glyme at Wootton and Woodstock.
  • River Ock from Watchfield to Abingdon.
  • Letcombe Brook at Wantage, Grove and East Hanney.
  • River Thame from Marsworth to Dorchester including Thame, Shabbington, Ickford, Waterperry, Wheatley, Drayton St Leonard and Overy.
  • Chalgrove Brook at Chalgrove and Stadhampton.
  • River Ray from Shipton Lee to Islip, including Blackthorn and Murcott.

First Great Western trains between Didcot Parkway station and Bristol Parkway and South Wales are now running on their normal route again after floodwater was cleared from the line in the Chipping Sodbury area.

The problem caused delays for most of the day, with trains diverted on a longer route via Bath and Bristol Temple Meads.