The Council has powers under the Land Drainage Act to require owners of watercourses to carry out maintenance and repair works.

Extreme weather conditions can cause watercourses and rivers to flood over into the floodplain. To check if you are in a property at risk from flooding contact the Environment Agency.

Drainage grills and gratings, such as on road gullies can become blocked very quickly when materials like mud are deposited on the road or when there is a heavy fall of leaves and if this mixes with other litter that has entered the gully pot they can become blocked.

In the event of a flooding emergency the Council will if possible respond to requests for sandbags.  Experience has shown however that during severe storms roads may become blocked, and the call for help may exceed the available resources resulting in delays in response. In many cases, there is also often very little warning of localised flash flooding, giving the Council no time to deliver sandbags if this occurs. It is wise therefore if you feel that you may be at risk from flooding, to have an emergency plan for your property, if possible working with neighbours. Indeed it is the responsibility of landowners to protect their properties from flooding.

If sandbags form part of your emergency plan be aware that they have a limited shelf life. If you are making such provisions, therefore, it is wise to observe the following guidelines;

Keep some sandbags in stock. They can be obtained from several builders' merchants or from the Council. Keep them dry and in a convenient place, out of sunlight.

Ensure that when calculating how many you will need you consider air bricks, doors leading off garages that may flood inside, cat flaps, low level letterboxes etc as well as obvious doors.

Be aware that sandbags do seep water even when well stacked and trodden into place. Also consider whether water can get around your defences, for example around doorframes or under doorsteps. There are sealants available, again from builder's merchants and hardware stores that can be fitted at a convenient time well in advance of a problem. Always read the instructions on such products.

Remember
·      Sandbags, particularly after use, will rot or break down and become unusable over time.

·      They may become contaminated and should be treated as such after use.

·      They are much heavier when wet and should be handled with care.

·      Builder’s merchants and Council offices may not be open or may have insufficient stocks when you need them.

How to place sandbags ; Lift the sandbag by the neck and place horizontally with the neck twisted and tucked underneath. Make sure it is stamped down and well bedded in. Layer the sandbags in brick formation, ensuring that joints are staggered.

More detailed advice on flooding, flood prevention measures and sandbags is available from the Environment Agency Floodline on (0845) 988 1188 or by clicking the link to the Environment Agency .