Latest work on site
Environment Agency staff are working with contractors to assess the site for preliminary works. Staff regularly check sandbag barriers and fencing to ensure they are continuing to be effective since the recent rain, which they are. As you can see in the image the site is wet and muddy and is expected to get wetter making work on the site challenging.
Estimate of when removal of waste will begin
Our contractor, Acumen, are still aiming for waste removal for the end of February but due to the continued heavy rainfall across the catchment this is now likely to be early March. The prolonged wet weather has significantly affected ground conditions, with saturated soils and standing water reducing the stability needed for vehicle movements and safe loading operations. Access routes that are normally suitable for heavy plant and haulage vehicles have become waterlogged, increasing the risk of equipment becoming bogged down. Scoping work to lay access tracks has begun.
Traffic management
The contractor, working with partners from Oxfordshire County Council, is developing a traffic management plan to minimise disruption to local road users. Further details about this plan will follow.
Vegetation work
Further vegetation will need removing from site. The trees and shrubs to be removed are likely to have been affected by the waste, for example the waste may be stopping water and nutrients from getting to the roots, or they may have absorbed pollutants.
The majority of trees are young and Oxfordshire County Council are checking for any Tree Preservation Orders. We will pollard any willows to give them the opportunity to recover naturally.
