Information & Contacts

Information Sheet & Contacts

We are a SELF HELP community group whose aim is to help lessen the impact of flooding in the South Winterbourne valley by co-ordinating the efforts of the village communities, riparian owners, parish councils and larger land owners/farmers to maintain the existing infrastructure in the best possible condition whilst observing and safeguarding the ecology and wildlife.

Having co-ordinated the annual stream clearing starting in 2013, it appears that this has been successful in limiting the flooding in the valley especially during the heavy rainfall. This clearing involved engaging a local contractor who also worked with the farmers/landowners in the Steepleton area. We are lobbying the Highways Agency for action in the Abbas area. Volunteers / SWCFAG members have also carried out some minor clearing / tidying during the year.

Although volunteers will try and assist locally where they can, please note that we are NOT flood wardens and cannot respond to emergencies. Our main aim is prevention and encouraging community / self help.

Sandbags :

Although, we hope that these will not be used, local bulk storage sites have been set up in each village in conjunction with Dorset Council as follows : (see sandbags for location maps)

Martinstown : Immediately to east side of Parish Office. (now managed by Martinstown Parish Council)

Steepleton : To right hand side of the large cattle shed in Yuill Farms yard off the dairy access road.

Abbas : In Manor Farm. Enter the yard from the main road and turn sharp right - the store will be in the open machinery shed on your right adjacent to the road boundary wall.

On each site, the bags are on pallets & sheeted over. Please take only what you need - think of others and help your neighbours where possible. Please tie down sheets again.

In the unlikely event of all bags being taken, Dorset Council may be able to deliver more.

Dorset Council :

DC are responsible for the South Winterbourne as it is classed as a watercourse rather than a river.

Flood Risk Management : Advice on flooding issues : Tel 01305 225424 / 221837

https://www.gov.uk/browse/environment-countryside/flooding-extreme-weather

Highways Dept : To report blocked drains etc on all roads (except A35) tel 01305 221000 or log your call on the Dorset For You website.

Follow link : https://www.dorsetforyou.com/travel-dorset/contact-dorset-highways

Highways England (formerly Agency) :

For main A35 road issues in Winterbourne Abbas. Tel 01392 312658 (www.highways.gov.uk)

Environment Agency :

Although DC are responsible for the South Winterbourne (as it is not now classed as a river), visit the EA website for flood information, guidance & warnings in local areas.

Local Blandford office - Tel 0370 8506506 (www.environment-agency.gov.uk)

Link for South Winterbourne Valley area : http://apps.environment-agency.gov.uk/flood/34678.aspx?page=1&type=RiverAndTown&term=martinstown

Utility Companies :

Wessex Water : Water Supplies : Tel 0345 600 4 600; Drainage & Sewerage : Tel 0345 850 5959

Note : Wessex Water do not now (since c.2014) abstract water from the aquifer under the valley due to nitrate pollution.

Electricity : Scottish & Southern Electricity (SSE) Emergencies/ Power Failures : Tel 0800 072 7282

Gas : Southern Gas Networks. Emergency Gas leaks etc : Tel 0800 111 999

Phones : British Telecom (BT). Problems with a phone line From a landline: 0800 800 151 From a mobile: 0330 123 4151

Other Useful links

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/flooding-from-groundwater

https://www.gov.uk/prepare-for-flooding

https://www.gov.uk/sign-up-for-flood-warnings

Only in genuine emergencies dial 999 for Dorset Police / Dorset Fire & Rescue / Ambulance & Paramedics etc. but response could be limited in very severe conditions due to transport problems, volume of calls and lack of manpower / equipment. (December 2014)

Here are some useful tips to plan for potential flooding :

Identify drainage gullies and surface water drains - get them professional traced and tested / rodded. Make a sketch plan of their locations so that you do not forget where they are ! Make sure that gardening / earth build up / leaves etc do not hide them.

Regularly check and clean out gullies (once a month at least) - especially those in "sunken" areas adjoining your house. Autumn time is especially important because of leaves blocking gullies etc

If road gullies outside your house are covered in mud / leaves - remove these where possible. Wear a "hi-vis" vest and take care with traffic . If badly blocked report immediately either by phone to DCC or on line via "Dorsetforyou" - do it when you see it !! ....and don't assume that someone else will do it.

If you use a pump, make sure that it and its hoses / leads etc are fully working and safe. Check electrical supplies feeding it and ensure that they are protected by a RCD trip device. It is suggested that a qualified electrician is engaged to check your electrical installation over and make any recommendations for making it more electrically resilient. Make sure you know which switches / fuses control it and how to reset them if they "trip”.

If necessary, it may be wise to move power sockets and any other fittings to say 450mm above floor levels.

Make sure that valuables and especially photos / important papers are stored out of harm's way - preferably upstairs or well above ground floor levels!

The same goes for expensive electronic equipment - make sure that routers / DVD recorders / tablets etc are not left at ground floor level.

When flooding is possible (keep an eye on forecasts and sign up for warnings) - keep boots / torches / warm clothing in suitable locations. Make sure you have spare batteries - use LED torches if possible as they are long lasting between charges or battery renewals. Keep mobile phones charged and it is a good idea to have a power bank to recharge them if power is lost.