Residents across the Borough are being urged to get flood ready as part of a national campaign to help communities prepare for flood risks as winter season approaches.
Flood Action Week, which runs from 12-18 October, is the Environment Agency’s annual initiative to encourage people to take proactive steps to prepare for flooding, such as knowing their flood risk, preparing a flood plan and signing up for flood warnings.
With climate change increasing the number and intensity of flood events, a growing number of properties in the Borough and across the UK are facing flood risks.
During the week, the Council’s Resilience and Highways teams will be visiting communities across the Borough to offer advice, useful tips and practical support to help residents have the best information possible to keep them safe.
The teams will be on site:
Tuesday 13 October at
• Bromham Mill from 10am-midday
• Harrold Country Park from 1-2.30pm
Thursday 15 October at
• Riseley Village Hall from 11am-12.30pm
• Clapham High Street (parade of shops) from 1.30-3.30pm
Friday 16 October at
• Harpur Square in Silver Street, Bedford town centre from 11am-1pm.
Join one of our events above for expert advice and friendly support, whether reviewing home insurance, making a flood plan or knowing how to shut off utilities – every proactive step counts.
During the week, the team will also join Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service to meet Community Flood Groups across the Borough, offering aqua sacs and Hydrosac training.
You can find out the latest updates on flooding and road closures in your area, how to prepare for a flood and what to do in a flood, at https://www.bedford.gov.uk/environmental-issues/emergencies/emergency-flooding
To help prevent flooding across the Borough, the Council runs a cyclical gully clearing rota on public highways all year-round, and carries out checks and clearance on known flood hotspots as the flood season approaches.
Bedford Borough Council also responds swiftly to emergency calls to unblock gullies and reduce flood risk.
If you become aware of an increased flood risk in the Borough, please report this to www.bedford.gov.uk/ReportFlooding or call 01234 267 422.
It is still every homeowner's responsibility to protect their property from flooding, and everyone has a part to play.
The Council may issue aqua sacs if residents are at imminent risk of flooding.
To support the Council in preparation for flood risks, there are now 12 Community Flood Groups made up of volunteers across the Borough. This includes Riseley, Yelden, Swineshead, Harrold, Odell, Carlton, Clapham, Stevington, Great Barford, Kempston West, Turvey and Marina Court (Kempston).
The two-way communication between group members and the Council’s Resilience team provides Council officers with live information and monitoring of flooding in key locations to set their response accordingly.
The Community Flood Groups are also able to make specific requests to the Council if they require information, equipment, assistance or resources.
The groups create their own bespoke Flood Plan and are issued with a Flood Kit, funded through the Environment Agency.
Bedford Borough Council also provides exercise training for the groups, who have all made great progress to improve local communication and flood response.
For more information on setting up a Community Flood Group, email floodrisk@bedford.gov.uk
Tom Wootton, Elected Mayor of Bedford Borough said; “With the UK experiencing extreme weather due to climate change, many homes and businesses are at risk of flooding from rivers, the sea or surface water. Its impact can be costly and life-changing.
“We aim to ensure communities in the Borough are taking key steps to prepare, protect and build resilience in the face of flood risks, with the Council’s full support.”
Here are other useful links to prepare for flooding this winter:
Know your flood risk from both river flooding and surface water flooding by visiting -
Technical map - Check your long-term flood risk - GOV.UK
Rivers and sea map - Check your long-term flood risk - GOV.UK
Sign up to the Met Office weather warnings Met Office
Sign up to Environmental Agency flood warnings Get flood warnings by text, phone or email - GOV.UK