RESIDENTS could be further protected from flooding if a new £330,000 bid is accepted.

West Oxfordshire District Council is seeking cash from the Department for Environmental and Rural Affairs (Defra) to fund a further seven flood alleviation projects across the district which was badly hit by floods in 2007.

Councillor David Harvey, cabinet member for environments, said the money would have a “significant impact” for the areas involved.

The £330,000 will be spent on water diversion work in Witney and the construction of water storage areas in Alvescot, Crawley and Shilton.

It will also fund flood defences for 15 homes in Clanfield, protection walls and ditches in Minster Lovell and culvert repairs in Curbridge.

If the bid is successful, the council will receive the money in the summer of 2012.

Mr Harvey said: “It may have happened four years ago, but I am sure that the devastation of the flooding of 2007 is still fresh in many people’s minds. The council has worked tirelessly to bring about improvements in West Oxfordshire and we are very proud of what has been achieved so far.

“As well as the larger-scale flood defence work, we have been working with landowners to ensure that ditch clearance and maintenance work is carried out.

“We are hopeful that this latest bid for funding will be successful as the works should have a significant impact for the areas involved.”

The cash will bring the total amount of funding obtained for flood prevention work in West Oxfordshire to more than £1m since 2007.

That year, West Oxfordshire was devastated by flooding.

More than 1,600 homes and 70 businesses were affected in the ensuing floods, with many people left homeless.

For more information, visit westoxon.gov.uk/flooding or call 01993 861020.