Floods stop charity scoot at Staines
(Our family have completed over 60km of a charity challenge we set ourselves to support The British Red Cross Disaster Fund. We plan to scoot the length of The Thames. We have travelled, with our daughters (now age 3 and 6) scooting from Battersea, all the way to Staines-upon-Thames.)
Our journey has become increasingly difficult with debris from the extreme winds and Christmas storms blocking sections of the towpath along Sunbury, and the first indications of lowland flooding at Denborough Island West on the 5th of January
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. Flooding of roads prevented us accessing the section from Shepperton to the M3 on the 12th of January. Following this, we continued with the next section of the scoot and were shocked to see vast stretches of the Thames flooded with homes lining the southern banks partially submerged. This was from the M3 to Laleham on 19th of January 2014. On the section from Laleham to Staines on the 16th of January 2014 car parks, fields and childrens' playgrounds were now under water. We reached the Slug and Lettuce Restaurant by the Staines Bridge on the 2nd of Febuary. The water was rising onto the steps leading up to the restaurant. At this stage we could see that further flooding would have widespread effect damaging many homes and cutting off road access to many people. The following Sunday, 9th of February, 14 severe flood warnings were issued along the Thames including Staines. This level of warning means there is a serious risk to life and property. By now widespread flooding had occurred. We have had to halt our journey until waters subside. The water is becoming contaminated with excrement posing additional health risks. The proximity of the flooded areas to major water treatment plants is a concern in my mind.
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Tough decisions are being made. The last tidal lock is at Teddington, which, along with the Thames Barrier alleviates flooding in the capital. The result though is that this water has nowhere to go except to spread outwards.
Our journey has become increasingly difficult with debris from the extreme winds and Christmas storms blocking sections of the towpath along Sunbury, and the first indications of lowland flooding at Denborough Island West on the 5th of January
. Flooding of roads prevented us accessing the section from Shepperton to the M3 on the 12th of January. Following this, we continued with the next section of the scoot and were shocked to see vast stretches of the Thames flooded with homes lining the southern banks partially submerged. This was from the M3 to Laleham on 19th of January 2014. On the section from Laleham to Staines on the 16th of January 2014 car parks, fields and childrens' playgrounds were now under water. We reached the Slug and Lettuce Restaurant by the Staines Bridge on the 2nd of Febuary. The water was rising onto the steps leading up to the restaurant. At this stage we could see that further flooding would have widespread effect damaging many homes and cutting off road access to many people. The following Sunday, 9th of February, 14 severe flood warnings were issued along the Thames including Staines. This level of warning means there is a serious risk to life and property. By now widespread flooding had occurred. We have had to halt our journey until waters subside. The water is becoming contaminated with excrement posing additional health risks. The proximity of the flooded areas to major water treatment plants is a concern in my mind.Tough decisions are being made. The last tidal lock is at Teddington, which, along with the Thames Barrier alleviates flooding in the capital. The result though is that this water has nowhere to go except to spread outwards.
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