Flood prevention scheme decision 'disappointing'

The decision to drop a scheme to improve flood defences in the Thames Valley has been criticised by a local authority.

The Environment Agency (EA) said the benefits of its Thames Valley flood scheme "would not be enough to gain funding and approvals".

Bethia Thomas, leader of Vale of White Horse District Council, said the decision to drop the scheme was "disappointing".

It comes as Oxfordshire County Council (OCC) approved a new local flood risk management strategy to help it "get ahead of the game".

The Thames Valley Flood Scheme had been investigating sites around Berkshire and Oxfordshire that would be used to store flood water - thus diverting it away from urban spots.

In a statement, the EA said it had found that large scale flood storage did "have the potential to help reduce flood risk to people and properties along the River Thames".

"However, the benefits in reducing flood risk would not be enough to gain funding and approvals," the statement added.

"We are therefore not able to progress catchment scale flood storage at this time."

The EA said it would be "further exploring the use of the environment" to help reduce flood-risk in parts of the Thames Valley.

But in a letter to the EA's chief executive, Ms Thomas said the scheme highlighted "further urgent action" was required to help protect those at risk of flooding.

"While parts of the Vale have previously experienced flooding issues, these incidents, due to our changing climate, are becoming more frequent and are hampering the lives and economies of our communities on a more regular basis," she said.

In a separate letter to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Ms Thomas called for a review of government spending on flood prevention.

She also called for an investigation into the formula used to allocate funding, and whether it was "fit for purpose".

The announcement that the Thames Valley Flood Scheme was being dropped was followed by OCC's announcement of its own flood prevention strategy.

The authority's new strategy, which was put together following a public consultation, outlines the roles and responsibilities of various local agencies.

It also sets out five objectives to guide flood risk management efforts, including improving understanding and introducing greater collaboration.

Dr Pete Sudbury, the council's deputy leader, said: "We need to try to get ahead of the game when it comes to flooding, otherwise the economic and social losses are likely to spiral to an uncontrollable level."

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