Thames Water launch public consultation into reservoir near Abingdon
Community events are planned for the next few months
Last updated 7th Jun 2024
A public consultation has been opened by Thames Water into proposed changes to the reservoir near Abingdon.
The public are being invited by the water provider to have their say on the proposals.
The company predicts it will need an extra 1 billion litres of water every day by 2050 to meet customer demand, expected population growth and effects of climate change.
They say the designs would help to bring the reservoir proposals to life for local residents, potential visitors and recreation users. Community events held in Oxfordshire will include 3D models and virtual reality headsets.
Together, they show how the reservoir could look, how it might be built, and how it may benefit visitors.
Leonie Dubois, Thames Water’s Head of Engagement, Land and Consents says: “Our water resources are under threat, and the consequences of not investing in a new reservoir could be to the detriment of millions of people, the environment, and the economy, so it’s vital we take action. Investing in SESRO would provide a drought insurance policy for households and businesses right across the South East.
“We have a unique opportunity ahead of us to address the water shortage risk, whilst seizing the chance to create a new, much-loved community resource with leisure, employment and recreational benefits for those that live nearby."
Proposals for the reservoir, known as SESRO (South East Strategic Reservoir Option), have been developed in conjunction with Southern Water and Affinity Water, as the reservoir is designed to secure future water supplies for all three company’s customers, a projected 15 million people –including customers in Oxfordshire.
The interim plan for SESRO is separated into seven different zones, which the public are asked to comment on. This includes information about the opportunities for leisure, which could include nature trails, a visitor centre, cafés, a water sports centre, recreational lakes and an education centre.
Feedback will also be sought into potential changes to the local road network. New public rights of way and an enhanced road network would help to ensure that residents in the nearby villages of East Hanney, Steventon, Drayton, Marcham and Garford could all access the new open spaces.
When are the public consultations?
Events for the community will be held in Oxfordshire on the following dates;
• Thursday 27 June, 2pm to 8pm, Sutton Courtenay Village Hall, Sutton Courtenay
• Saturday 29 June, 10am to 4pm, Royal British Legion, East Hanney
• Monday 1 July, 11am to 5pm, Abingdon Guildhall, Abingdon
• Friday 5 July, 11am to 5pm, Loyd Lindsay Rooms, Wantage
• Tuesday 9 July, 2pm to 8pm, Didcot Civic Hall, Didcot
• Monday 15 July, 2pm to 8pm, Milton Hill House, Steventon
• Thursday 18 July, 2pm to 8pm, Marcham Centre, Marcham
However, there are critics to the plans who are making the case against the proposed scheme.
Dr Derek Stork is the Chair of the Group Against Reservoir Development:
"It'll involve pumping water out of the Thames into an earth banked water tank, which is very imposing. The other thing is that this will be 10 years in construction, and the area will be levelled. All the biodiversity will be long gone."
He goes on to add that his group want the issue of leakages addressed:
"They leak 600 million litres per day, so they're leaking what they want to use."
Thames Water's consultation is open until Wednesday, 28 August 2024.