Marlow and Bourne End residents told 'be prepared' amid Thames alerts

The Environment Agency has issued daily alerts throughout this week along the river including in Marlow and Bourne End. 

Though at this time, properties are thought to be safe, residents have been warned that low-lying land and roads could be hit following heavy rainfall from Storm Bert and Storm Conall. 

In the alert, it says staff are monitoring the situation with Environment Agency workers managing the area's weirs to reduce flood risk. 

But residents have been told to be prepared and monitor water levels in the days to come.

READ MORE: River Thames flood warning extended in Marlow and Bourne End

Bourne End independent councillor, Stuart Wilson said alerts for the area happen 'fairly often' but added: "The more steps we can take to build resilience and get ready, the better.

"Being a riverside community it is something that people are usually aware of and we really want people to be prepared because what we can do after the fact is quite limited.

"Once we have the flooding it then turns into a crisis management. The river levels are high both in the Wye and the Thames but it is not something that is unusual after a high storm

"This is a long-term situation that these weather patterns have changed substantially in recent decades.

"It is something that people will need to be mindful of and prepare for. [Residents] are directly responsible for protecting their own properties but we want to help wherever we can."

Buckinghamshire Council has launched the Be Flood Ready website which contains guidance on how to reduce the risk of flooding in your area. 

Flood alert in Buckinghamshire (Image: gov.uk)

It comes as across Marlow, measures have already been taken by the council to reduce the risk of flooding from rising water levels in the Thames. 

Cllr Alex Collingwood, said the area is hit by three types of water; surface water from downpours, groundwater due to constant wet weather and the Thames adding that run-off areas and pumps have been set up across the town to combat this. 

He said: "I would say to all my residents always be prepared because we have had scenarios where there has been no flood warning and they have been flooded. I don’t want them to be complacent."

Alerts issued this week cover the Thames from Hurley to Cookham also including Harleyford and Bisham. 

Further warnings are in place for flooding in Berkshire and Oxfordshire. 

Bourne End councillor Penny Drayton added: "Individual residents often have to use their own flood defences when flooding threatens but have had damage caused at times.

"Unfortunately with the River being there, there is limited mitigation at times when extreme weather causes flooding.

"Some of the proposed areas for future development are in flood zones and it's been pointed out numerous times how this may affect current and future residents so hopefully suitable plans will be in place before any future development happens."