Water, water everywhere as Thames bursts its banks

Purley, Pangbourne and Goring are badly hit as rising water causes disruption

PARTS of West Berkshire were hit by flooding this week due to a combination of high water levels and heavy rainfall. Pangbourne and Goring were particularly badly hit as the River Thames overflowed and some properties suffered flood damage. Elsewhere, Purley was also badly affected, with some roads closed, and river levels are expected to remain high over the coming days.

Earlier this week, West Berkshire Council released a statement saying that flood warnings would remain in place until water levels reduced.

The Government’s Flood Information Service said: “Our incident response staff are operating weirs to reduce flood risk. “Please remain safe and aware of your local surroundings, activate any property flood protection products you may have, such as flood barriers and air brick covers, and refer to the ‘River and Sea levels in England’ webpage for current river levels.” On the flood alert that was in place on the Thames from Pangbourne to Purley, the information service said: “Flooding of low-lying roads, paths and land is expected to continue, especially between Whitchurch

and Purley-on-Thames.”

Flooding is also possible on the River Kennet and its tributaries from Berwick Bassett in Wiltshire down to Newbury and from Thatcham to Reading, especially at

Ramsbury and Theale.

The information services added: “River levels remain high, but are steady on the River Kennet as a result of previous heavy rainfall.”

Bursting point – the Thames at Pangbourne

Floodwater surrounds this property Ref: 05-0321O

Ducks paddle across a flooded field Ref: 05-0321M

The River Thames bursts its banks at Pangbourne Ref: 05-0321R

Floodwaters in Pangbourne Ref: 05-0321F

Ref: 05-0321V Seagulls survey the scene

No way through in Pangbourne Ref: 05-0321G