
The Ox-Cam Property Flood Resilience (PFR) Pathfinder Project aims to increase the effective uptake and awareness of PFR across the seven local authority areas.
Flooding presents an increasing risk to many people living and working across the Oxford-Cambridge Arc region.
Due to intense and prolonged rainfalls, we have seen robust defences overtopped or damaged and furthermore, according to Sir James Bevan, Chief Executive of the Environment Agency, winter rainfall is set to increase by almost 60% by 2050*.
Installing flood resilience measures to new builds and existing properties will enable recovery to happen in just a matter of days instead of months, should a significant flood occur.
As one of three DEFRA-funded national pathfinder partnerships, the Ox-Cam Property Flood Resilience (PFR) project will be supporting communities across the area in understanding the advantages of PFR.
We demonstrate the active steps that can be taken to make homes, businesses, or other property resilient to flooding.
Working with partners and communities, including insurers, construction and property businesses, our focus is to promote a greater understanding of the actions that can be taken to minimise damage from flood waters.
Project Partners and Steering Group
Led by North Northamptonshire Council, we are delighted to be working in conjunction with Lead Local Flood Authorities from the following:
Cambridgeshire County Council
Northamptonshire County Council
Oxfordshire County Council
Buckinghamshire Council
Central Bedfordshire Council
Milton Keynes Council
Luton Borough Council
Peterborough City Council
Other key project partners include: The Environment Agency (EA) regional teams in Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire, Brampton and Thames, RFCC’s (Anglian Central, Northern and Thames), Anglian Water, Thames Water and the DEFRA PFR Roundtable.
Introducing the Floodmobile
A key aim of the Pathfinder Project is to engage productively with communities and industry to provide practical, hands-on guidance and advice on property flood resilience.
Our specially commissioned ‘Floodmobile’ interactive demonstration vehicle provides examples of over 50 practical measures, from pumps and barriers, to air bricks, flood doors and non-return valves – and much more.
The Ox-Cam PFR Floodmobile brings to life just what is possible in any home or business premises, and offers us the chance to talk directly to those concerned about flooding.
During 2021, we plan to visit at least ten high risk communities across the Arc region; a schedule of events and activities will be published soon. In the meantime, an interactive 360-degree virtual tour is available to view below. For further information on the Floodmobile contact Kate.McLaren@westnorthants.gov.uk

Demonstration Property
We are working with PFR manufacturers and specialists to create a demonstration property at HR Wallingford. It will be fitted with a range of PFR solutions to provide a live showcase for what a PFR property looks like
We look forward to launching a Professional Service Hub and a Virtual Hub to provide training to bespoke audiences within industry.
For us, we want to be the ‘one-stop-shop’ that Ox-Cam Arc communities, businesses and residents can rely on for vital PFR information.
For any enquiries regarding the project please contact PFR.NCC@northnorthants.gov.uk
For news and event updates from the Ox-Cam PFR Pathfinder Project follow us on Twitter. @oxcamPFR
