Datchet to Hythe End Flood Improvement Measures - Scheme Information

Overview

• Page 1 - Welcome
• Page 2 - Background of the Datchet to Hythe End Flood Improvement Measures
• Page 3 - Scheme Information
• Page 4 - Potential Measures
• Page 5 - Environmental considerations and surveys
• Page 6 - Flood Risk
• Page 7 - Public Engagement

Scheme delivery stages

Datchet to Hythe End Flood Improvement Measures is currently in the ‘appraisal’ stage, which concludes with Outline Business Case (OBC) approval. We have successfully completed the Strategic Outline Case stage and secured funding to advance the OBC - refer to the flood scheme progress stages information and timeline below for details.

We demonstrated that there may be viable options to reduce flood risk and that these are worthwhile investigating further. We are refining our evidence to appraise the potential measures in more detail.

Scheme objectives

Our scheme objectives are important as they help inform our decision making – see the circular diagram below for details.

We will assess the potential flood risk management measures against these objectives and critical success factors:

• Strategic fit and meets business needs
• Stakeholder engagement
• Potential value for money
• Potential affordability
• Achievability
• Supplier capacity and capability

We must also act consistently with the Flood and Coastal Erosion and Risk Management Strategy which sets out the overall approach for undertaking flood risk management in England.

The Strategy has three long-term ambitions underpinned by evidence about future risk and investment needs. They are:

• Climate resilient places: working with partners to bolster resilience to flooding and coastal change across the nation, both now and in the face of climate change.
• Today’s growth and infrastructure resilient in tomorrow’s climate: making the right investment and planning decisions to secure sustainable growth and environmental improvements, as well as infrastructure resilient to flooding and coastal change.
• A nation ready to respond and adapt to flooding and coastal change: ensuring local people understand their risk to flooding and coastal change, and know their responsibilities and how to take action.”

Funding

The main source of money for flood schemes is flood and coastal risk management grant-in-aid for projects provided by central government through Department of Food and Rural Affairs. This funding is governed by the government's Partnership Funding policy introduced in 2011 and updated in April 2021. 

It uses the estimated benefits and costs of a project to calculate how much government funding a scheme is eligible for.

The remaining funding, known as Partnership Funding, is then sought from other potential partners. These may include:

• The local council
• Regional flood and coastal committees
• Utilities and infrastructure companies
• Other organisations and businesses that benefit from the scheme

This is the standard way in which flood schemes are funded today. The cost of the scheme will depend on the options appraisal process and the preferred option.

Next page: Potential measures