River Thames Scheme: have your say

The Environment Agency and local councils working together on the River Thames Scheme have arranged events for local communities.

The Environment Agency and local councils working together on the River Thames Scheme have arranged a series of events for local communities to find out more about the scheme and share ideas on what it could look like.

Between 25 August and 15 September 2015 they are running a series of ‘drop-in’ sessions at various locations between Datchet and Teddington. There will be information on display and experts on hand to talk to. Everyone interested in their work is invited to attend.

The Environment Agency and local councils will be sharing information on how work has progressed since the Lower Thames Strategy was published in 2010. Visitors can also find out about the next steps and likely timescales. They want to hear people’s views on what the new flood relief channel could look like and how people would like to be kept up to date with progress.

David Murphy, Project Director for the Environment Agency said:

"We really want to get local residents and businesses involved in the scheme, to hear their views on the proposals and explore what other benefits it could bring to the local area in addition to reducing flood risk to over 15,000 homes and businesses. This scheme will reduce flood risk right across the area and we need the support of the communities to make it happen."

The Environment Agency and local council partners have been working with community groups in this area for many years to improve resilience to flooding. The River Thames Scheme will reduce flood risk to the 15,000 properties currently at risk between Datchet and Teddington. It will include construction of a flood channel (in 3 sections), property level products to make homes more resistant to flooding, major and local flood plans and will provide other benefits to this area.

The Environment Agency is working with 7 local councils to deliver the programme.

Residents who come to these events can also find out if they are at risk of flooding and what they can do in their own properties and communities to reduce the risk. Everyone attending the events will be invited to give us their views about the proposed scheme and to join a mailing list to receive regular updates on progress, invitations to future events and be notified of any consultations.

All the events run from 4 pm until 8 pm. No need to book. Dates and locations are as follows:

Date                                       Venue
Tuesday 25 August - Wraysbury Village Hall, TW19 5WA
Thursday 27 August - St Nicholas Parish Hall, Shepperton, TW17 9JY
Tuesday 1 September - Chertsey Hall, KT16 9DR
Thursday 3 September - Landmark Arts Centre, Teddington, TW11 9NN
Friday 4 September - The Hythe Centre, Staines, TW18 3HD
Tuesday 8 September - YMCA, Hawker Centre, Richmond Road, Kingston, KT2 5BH
Wednesday 9 September - Moseley Boat Club, KT8 9AJ
Friday 11 September - Riverside Arts Centre, Sunbury, TW16 5QF
Tuesday 15 September - Datchet Village Hall, SL3 9HR

Anyone not able to attend an event can join the mailing list, ask the team a question or request information by emailing rts@environment-agency.gov.uk. For more information visit River Thames Scheme