Ash Vale Residents Push For a Long-Term Solution To Prevent Flooding

Published on: 2 Nov, 2026
Updated on: 2 Nov, 2026

Gareth Archard, the residents’ spokesperson, pictured in 2024 at the storm pipes near his home

By David Reading

Guildford Borough Council has reaffirmed its commitment to preventing the risk of flooding in the Sopwith Close and Wellington Place area of Ash Vale.

However, residents are still concerned that a long-term plan to prevent debris blocking the nearby Blackwater River needs to be in place in order to avoid future problems – and that this must happen before the council ceases to exist in April 2027.

In March 2024 we reported that there had been three floods in the gardens at Wellington Place in four years, caused by water running out of storm pipes installed at the nearby GBC development, Sopwith Close.

Apart from waterlogged gardens, flooding had caused blockage of toilets, sinks, shower, and baths for up to 18 hours.

The residents’ spokesperson, Gareth Archard, said the installation of these storm pipes when Sopwith Close was built in 2015 went against the terms of the approved planning permission. The council acknowledged that elements of the drainage system for Sopwith Close had been “installed incorrectly”.

Cllr Julia McShane

Since then, the council has worked to alleviate the problems and this week Cllr Julia McShane, GBC leader, told the Guildford Dragon: “We’re continuing to work with our partners to reduce flood risk in the Sopwith Close and Wellington Place area of Ash Vale. Over the past year, we’ve made good progress through a combination of river maintenance, technical investigations, and future planning.

“Following the significant clearance work carried out in 2024, further maintenance has taken place along the Blackwater River to remove vegetation and other obstructions that could restrict the flow of water. Keeping the river clear helps it operate more effectively during periods of heavy rainfall.

“We’ve recently completed the first phase of detailed river modelling, carried out by specialist flood risk consultants. This work will help identify options for reducing flood risk further.

“In addition, surveys have been completed and previous flood events reviewed, alongside information provided by residents, to improve our understanding of flooding in the area. We’ve also successfully secured grant funding from the Environment Agency to support potential flood risk reduction measures.

“As part of preparations for Local Government Reorganisation, we are documenting current river management and maintenance arrangements to help ensure a smooth transition to West Surrey Council in April 2027. We plan to provide a full project update directly to residents in the coming weeks.

“We remain committed to working with residents and partners to improve resilience, reduce flood risk, and help protect homes and communities in the area. Residents can continue to support this work by reporting any river flooding to the Environment Agency on 0800 80 70 60 or visit our website for advice and further contact information.”

Mr Archard, who is chair of the Sopwith Close and Wellington Place Residents Flood Action Group, said he was appreciative of the work done so far, but still had concerns.

He said: “After we met with the council’s CEO, Pedro Wrobel, there was significant advancement in reducing the current flood risk by removing a river blockage in summer 2024. This prevented almost certain major floods in 2025 and 2026.

“But the fact that a new debris build-up was removed in March this year illustrates the long term need for a prevention plan to eliminate the higher risk of flooding from debris build-ups in the Blackwater River just downstream of Sopwith Close.

“While applauding GBC for their current action, the residents are very concerned that the formula for a long term river blockage prevention plan, agreed with residents in April 2026, still has not been documented after six months. This has caused great concern among the residents, as we are now in yet another autumn/winter flooding season without a formal prevention plan, and worryingly, GBC ceases to be in April 2027.

“GBC have said they are committed to have this plan and several others documented and in place before April 2027. The residents see the river blockage prevention plan as a critical mitigation step for the long term prevention of regular large flooding episodes affecting both estates.

“We continue, therefore, to support Guildford Borough Council to meet this aim to have a prevention plan in place by April 2027.”