Many of us in Oxfordshire will have spared a thought this week for the victims of flooding in Cumbria. We know that while the initial devastation is shortlived, victims have to live for the consequences for a long time.

Those whose homes and businesses were hit by flood water may not be able to return to their property for a year or more.

It serves as a reminder to us here in Oxfordshire of the potential damage to property and risk to life that still exists.

While we have reported on many small schemes to protect property from floods — particularly the use of temporary barriers and dredging and clearance of watercourses — the fear remains that without major flood defences, Oxford and places such as Abingdon and Witney may, once again, suffer serious consequences.