• Harrow Area Flooding

We wrote to Rachael Shimmin the Bucks Council CEO requesting an investigation into the causes of the flooding, and have received two replies from Rosie Tunnard. The first essentially describes the flooding as a well maintained drainage system simply being overwhelmed by sheer volume of rain and detritus swept along the road.

The second carries some notes from the Flood Management Team, who are putting some work into analysing how the problems occurred.

We are currently looking into the contents of these letters and intend to reply soon. However, there are some possible good points in the letters:

• Clearance of gully systems have been ordered
• Looking into possible solutions to better direct road water into the Warrendene ditch
• Hampden Rd ditch is to be cleared (looking very overgrown)

• Thames Water

Despite expectations to the contrary, TW started overpumping by the Surgery this month. This has provided much relief to those neighbours who were experiencing sewage spillages in their gardens.

We are currently organising a daytime meeting with Mark Dolby, a Snr TW engineer to visit and update us on current activities.

The sewer remains full and becomes threatening when we have heavy rain or when the  overpumping unit stops running for any reason.

A look at the Hughenden Borehole graph shows that the groundwater levels are slowly going down, but have a long way to go before the stream stops running.

• Chiltern Society

Paul was invited to a Chiltern Society Friends event, where representatives of the groups that look after the Chiltern chalkstreams gathered. This was a new event to try and bring each of the groups closer and encourage joint production of plans etc.

Paul will pick up with the Revive the Wye group who look after the Wye but also have the Hughenden Stream as part of their remit.

Paul also to identify any persons or group in our valley wanting to take on a role in this.

Paul Woodford

HVRA DIG