River conditions at Purley

[pheran]

Continuing the dialogue on the Shiplake Lock thread. Steve_Jones to note

Purley shown on local TV at 1820. River still rising very quickly and expected to burst the banks tonight. Sandbags have been moved in as have stockpiles of camp-beds and bedding in preparation for possible evacuation. Parts of Pangbourne just down the road are already underwater but they have the added complication of the Pang itself and the Brook. Good luck.

 

[Steve_Jones]

Thanks for the update, on Sky and BBC News 24 at the moment (14:20), looks like River Gdns is under a few inches at the moment, approx 3 ft to go to match 2003 levels. We wait and watch... /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[pheran]

Purley Gardens has just been on the 6pm Thames Valley Today. 'High Tide' expected later tonight. Flooding of some properties seems inevitable. Government minister visited the area today (who the hell is the Minister for the South-East - didn't know we had one!) Anyway, now he and Martin Salter have been, everything will be alright, wont it!

 

[Steve_Jones]

Yep, saw it and recorded it!! Martin Salter was interviewed outside our (soon to be) new house!! Looks ok so far, we will wait and see!!

We'll tune into Sky/BBC News24 tomorrow morning and see what has happened, if you have any more news we'd love to hear it!!

Thanks!!

Steve

 

[pheran]

Today Programme R4 0810 - 'Water level at Purley has risen by a foot in the last hour'

Radio Berkshire 0830 - 'River has risen to the height of Sonning Bridge. The road is flooded in places but still passable'

 

[Steve_Jones]

Just been down to Purley, River Gdns, all seems under control. Some minor water damage to the lower lying properties but the roads are all clear as is the towpath. It would appear that the majority of Purley has been lucky in that the water level peaked a few inches from a critical level. All of course IMHO.

Fingers crossed for all downstream, it looks like the 'surge' has, to a certain degree, dissipated.

Looking forward to Thames Water announcing a hosepipe ban any day now!!

Thanks one and all for the updates over the past few days.

Steve