Flooding

Flood Response and Reporting

If you are a resident of Ashchurch and are experiencing a flood, the appropriate contact depends on the severity and source of the water. For any situation involving immediate danger to life or if you are trapped by rising floodwaters, dial 999 and ask for the Fire and Rescue Service. For urgent assistance with property flooding or to request emergency support, contact Tewkesbury Borough Council.

To help the community better prepare and manage future risks, residents are also encouraged to report the source of flooding—whether it be from a main river, a blocked road drain, or a burst water main—to the relevant authority listed below.

Emergency Contact Directory

• Life-Threatening Emergency: Call 999

• Tewkesbury Borough Council (Emergency/Out of Hours): 01684 293445

• Environment Agency (River Flooding): 0800 80 70 60

• Gloucestershire Highways (Road Drainage/Culverts): 08000 514 514

• Severn Trent Water (Sewerage/Water Mains): 0800 783 4444

• Gloucestershire County Council (Surface Water Reporting): Report Online via FORT

Introducing Your Flood Warden: Councillor Ian Parker

To ensure our parish is as resilient as possible, Councillor Ian Parker serves as our dedicated Flood Warden. In this role, Ian acts as a vital link between our residents and the higher authorities, including Gloucestershire County Council and the Environment Agency.

Working alongside the Parish Council, Ian monitors local watercourse levels, reports blockages in culverts such as the critical M5 underpasses, and helps coordinate our community emergency response. During periods of heavy rain, having a local point of contact ensures that boots on the ground intelligence reaches those who can deploy resources where they are needed most.

The Impact on Our Community

Flooding in Ashchurch Rural isn’t just a statistic; it is a lived reality for many. In recent years, our parish has seen:

• Property and Farmland Loss: Saturated fields often lead to the Tirle and Carrant Brooks overspilling, impacting local agricultural livelihoods and, in extreme cases, threatening residential property.
• Infrastructure Disruption: Key transit routes and the lanes connecting our hamlets, frequently become impassable, isolating residents and making school runs or commutes dangerous.
• Planning Concerns: With the scale of development proposed for the area, ensuring that new sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) actually work for our existing residents is a top priority for the Council.

We Need Your Evidence: Help Us Shape Future Defences

Ashchurch Rural Parish Council is currently collaborating with the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT) and Gloucestershire County Council to explore Natural Flood Management (NFM). This involves slowing the flow using nature-based solutions like leaky dams and ponds to protect our homes downstream.

However, to make this successful, we need your data. We are conducting a Flood Audit and are asking residents to get in touch with:

• Photographs of past flooding (historic or recent).
• Specific Locations: Where exactly did the water pool or break the bank?
• Impact Descriptions: Did it affect your garden, your outbuildings, or road access?

Please email your evidence and observations to: admin@ashchurchrural-pc.gov.uk

Your local knowledge is the most powerful tool we have to lobby for better flood defences and ensure that Ashchurch Rural remains a safe place to live for generations to come.