Banbury is 50km north of Oxford, home to 45,000 people, on the River Cherwell floodplain
1998 flood: Closed the railway station, shut local roads, £12.5 million of damage · 150 homes and businesses affected
2007 floods: Rivers burst banks after heavy rain
History of repeated flooding justified significant investment in a permanent scheme
The flood management scheme
Completed in 2012
3km long and 4.5m high embankment alongside the A40 — creates a flood storage area
Infrastructure raised (e.g. A361) to remain passable during floods
Improved drainage under roads
Additional embankments and floodwalls to protect property
Pumping stations to transfer excess water below the town
Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) — ponds, trees and hedgerows increase lag time and create habitats
Impacts of the scheme
Social: A361 no longer flooded · reduced anxiety in local communities · new green areas and footpaths improved quality of life
Economic: Cost £18.5 million · benefits estimated at over £100 million · 441 houses and 73 commercial properties protected · property values increased
Environmental: Biodiversity habitats created · green corridors established
Exam questions — 3 questions · 12 marks
⚡ Geography exam tip: Always use named examples with specific data. "An earthquake in Nepal" scores fewer marks than "The 2015 Nepal earthquake (magnitude 7.9, 9,000 deaths)." Learn the statistics on this page.
1 markCost-benefit
Why was the Banbury flood scheme considered good value despite costing £18.5 million?
A The government subsidised the entire cost so it cost the local community nothing
B The benefits (over £100 million in protected property and avoided damage) far outweigh the cost
C It used only natural flood management techniques so labour costs were minimal
D Banbury has no flood risk any more so maintenance costs are zero
6 marksEvaluate the scheme
Evaluate the Banbury flood management scheme. In your answer consider social, economic and environmental impacts. (6 marks)
Hint: Cover all three dimensions: social, economic, environmental. Give specific evidence for each. Conclude with an overall evaluation of effectiveness.