A major overhaul of flood protection and early warning systems is to take place following the Easter wash-out which left hundreds homeless.

A public meeting at Banbury Town Hall last night heard that some householders have still not returned to their homes in the town since they were filled with nearly a foot of water in April.

Leading members of the Environment Agency, which has responsibility for controlling the River Cherwell, admitted they were unaware of the danger to some areas and failed to give residents enough warning.

They promised a feasibility study into creating new flood defences and a review of early warning systems.

New measures could include a team of 'flood wardens' to ensure residents are alerted to danger.

Regional floods defence manager Peter Borrows said: "We accept that the agency's performance on issuing warnings was, on the whole, unsatisfactory.

"Flood risk management in Banbury will require detailed and thorough analysis in order to identify the best overall solution. We will never be able to eliminate the risk of flooding but we can limit it."

Water levels on the River Cherwell in Banbury broke all records as prolonged heavy rain led to a 'wave' of water heading downstream shortly before the start of the Easter weekend. The main residential area to be hit was Grimsbury, with hundreds finding their homes under water within minutes.

Many residents blamed overdevelopment in Banbury for increasing water run-off into the flood plain.

Flood victim Gary Parkin, of Fergusson Road, said: "We are concerned that in the last ten years we have had development all around us.

"The new housing estates have modern drainage systems, while ours has not been changed in 100 years. I cannot believe it did not make a difference."

Council officers insisted that modern drainage techniques on new housing developments reduce, rather than increase the flood risk.

Grahame Handley, chief executive of Cherwell District Council, said: "The council does not zone areas for housing without consulting the relevant bodies.

"We have not permitted any development in areas not approved by the Environment Agency."

*The River Cherwell in north Oxfordshire was on yellow flood alert today after heavy rain.

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