Currently 15,000 residential properties within the Lower Thames floodplain from Datchet to Teddington are at significant risk of flooding from the River Thames.
The Lower Thames Flood Risk Management Strategy will tackle the risk of flooding to these properties within this area - one of the areas of highest flood risk in England .
In 2009 the Environment Agency held a series of public meeting between September and December for members of the public to find out more about the scheme and to have their say during the consultation period. The Environment Agency have taken on board comments received and the preferred options include; building three flood diversion channels, improving some existing river weir structures, providing some localised protection for groups of houses and a range of other ways of managing the floodplain. The preferred option was approved by the Environment Agency Board in November 2010 and Defra agreed the scheme in July 2011.
However, although the scheme provides significant flood risk benefits, it will be expensive to construct. The public meeting will allow Environment Agency staff to explain the current position of the scheme and what has changed since December 2009. They will also be able to explain how we are working with the new Government’s revised funding for flood risk and the new policy of Partnership Funding.
Barry Russell, Lower Thames Strategy Manager for the Environment Agency, said: “We have investigated many options for the Lower Thames area over the past eight years through in-depth research. Each option has been assessed against a range of economic, environmental and social factors to ensure the best solution for everyone.
“The recent changes introduced by the Government have meant that we have had to review how we intend to progress the scheme and we wanted to provide an opportunity to explain this to members of the public, through a series of three follow-up public exhibitions.
“The reality, unfortunately, is that we can’t stop flooding from happening all together, but this strategy does set out a wide range of measures for helping to reduce the risk and impact of flooding. These include increasing flood resistance, making people more conscious of their risks and raising awareness about building in the floodplain. This, in conjunction with the proposed channels, can all play a major role in bringing peace of mind to thousands of people who live with the risk of flooding.”
Ends.
Notes to Editor:
Address:
Wraysbury Village Hall, The Green, Wraysbury, Middlesex , TW19 5NA
PLEASE CONTACT THE PRESS OFFICE IF YOU WISH TO ATTEND.
OTHER PUBLIC EXHIBITION DATES
Tuesday 29 November 2011 3pm – 8pm
Wraysbury Village Hall, The Green, Wraysbury, Middlesex , TW19 5NA
Thursday 1 December 2011 3pm – 8pm
Hythe Centre, Thorpe Road , Staines , TW18 3HF
Friday 2 December 2011 3pm – 8pm
Mole Hall, Bishop Fox Way, West Molesey , KT8 2JE
The latest update for the Lower Thames Flood Risk Management Strategy is available to view online at
www.environment-agency.gov.uk /lowerthames
All media enquiries: 0118 953 5555
Please ask for the duty press officer
Environment Agency news releases, both national and regional, can be found on its web site:
www.environment-agency.gov.uk