Long Mead Local Wildlife Site in Swinford, Oxfordshire, has experienced its fourth flood due to a burst mains pipe. A wildlife charity is concerned this repeated flooding could jeopardise a funding grant.
The latest incident was discovered on the day restoration work was scheduled to start following a previous flood. Catriona Bass, director of the Long Mead Foundation, stated that standing water at this time of year can damage the rare habitat, as plants are actively growing, unlike during natural winter floods.
Thames Water has confirmed the latest leak in Bettys Meadow has been repaired. A spokesperson for the company said they are sorry for the disruption and remain committed to protecting local wildlife sites, adding that the repair took longer than expected due to heavy rainfall and water volume.
Long Mead meadow is a crucial donor site for a restoration programme aimed at increasing floodplain meadow habitats across Oxfordshire. These habitats are rare, with only four square miles existing in the country.