RESIDENTS fear they have been left defenceless against flooding after a promised new bridge was scrapped.

Seven households in The Heath, Milton-under-Wychwood, have been flooded up to three times in as many years.

They were told that the nearby Church Road bridge would be replaced, at a cost of £100,000, to stop water building up and flowing into their homes.

But the Environment Agency now says it plans to build a storage pond upstream instead. Oxfordshire County Council is also proposing to install a pipe under the bridge, to allow more water to flow.

Environment Agency flood risk management team leader Peter Collins said: “While we appreciate residents will be disappointed that the Church Road bridge is not being replaced, we will be working with the county council to deliver a package of works that will reduce their flood risk.”

Residents Gill and John Fox, of The Heath, were flooded twice in 2007. Water also flowed into neighbouring homes in 2008.

Mrs Fox, 63, said: “There is still nothing that prevents me from picking up my furniture and everything and moving it upstairs each time I go on holiday – not something you should do at the age of 63.

“There have been quite a few occasions where you can see that the water under the bridge is backing up.

“The solution, without any ongoing maintenance, is to enlarge the bridge. It’s too low and the water can’t get through.

“If the bridge gives way it will be like a tsunami. Flood storage ponds will not help – we know this.”

Mrs Fox said the bridge work had been promised at many meetings.

She said: “I grew up in the age where if you said something, you meant it and I don’t think it is fair to treat people like this. In two years they’ve done nothing.”

County Hall spokesman Owen Morton said: “The latest report indicated that a replacement bridge would not provide significant benefit to those houses most at risk of flooding and as such, the council has concluded that the scheme is not justified.”

witney@oxfordmail.co.uk