Flood Alert Issued for River Lambourn from Upper Lambourn to Newbury

Alert Details

The Environment Agency has issued a flood alert for the River Lambourn and its tributaries. This alert was officially raised at 9:23 AM on February 15, 2026, due to high river levels that pose a risk of flooding to the surrounding areas.

Affected Areas

The alert covers the River Lambourn and its tributaries from Upper Lambourn down to Newbury in West Berkshire. Specific watercourses affected include:

• River Lambourn
• Great Shefford Stream
• Winterbourne Stream

Flooding is particularly expected in the Shaw area, impacting low-lying land and local roads.

What You Should Do

Residents and travelers in the affected regions are advised to take the following precautions:

• Avoid using low-lying footpaths and roads near rivers, as these areas are likely to be flooded.
• Monitor local weather reports and river levels.
• Visit the River Levels Online service for the most current updates on water conditions.

Expected Conditions

River levels are currently high but stable across the catchment. However, further rainfall is forecast for today, February 15, which has the potential to be heavy at times. These conditions are expected to keep river levels high over the next several days, maintaining the risk of flooding for roads and low-lying terrain.

Timeline

The alert is effective as of February 15, 2026. Officials expect river levels to remain high for the next few days. The Environment Agency is scheduled to provide an updated message by 12:00 PM on February 16, 2026, or sooner if the situation changes significantly.