Thames Valley Flood Scheme - Other consultations and engagement

Later this year, we will consult on the draft second cycle Flood Risk Management Plan for the Thames River Basin District. Flood Risk Management Plans are statutory plans within the Flood Risk Regulations 2009, produced by the Environment Agency and other relevant risk management authorities (RMAs). The Flood Risk Management Plans are strategic plans which set out how organisations, communities and partnerships will work together to manage flood risk throughout a River Basin District.

Later this year we will begin a 6 month consultation on the 3rd cycle of the River Basin Management Plan (RBMP) for Thames River Basin District. We have an obligation to produce these plans every 6 years under The Water Environment (Water Framework Directive) (England and Wales) Regulations 2017. The purpose of a River Basin Management Plan is to provide a framework and legally binding objectives for protecting the benefits provided by the water environment.

In March 2021, 22 members of the public participated in a targeted consultation to find out how people connect with water in their local environment and what needs to change in the future to benefit people and wildlife. We assembled 10 organisations to be part of the advisory board and help the jury understand local priorities. This is the first time the Environment Agency has engaged with a varied audience and taken part in a citizen focus group. The results and feedback will influence our national and local water management.

The Chalk Streams Restoration Group (CSRG) draft strategy on the future of chalk streams is now available to view and for comment via the Catchment Based Approach (CaBA) website.

As a key part of the CSRG, the Environment Agency would love to see as many people with an interest in chalk streams responding to the consultation by the deadline of 15 June 2021.

This consultation is an opportunity for everyone who uses, enjoys and is responsible for chalk streams to determine their future and agree actions to meet the Government’s 25 Year Environment Plan targets of 75% chalk streams to get to their natural state as soon as practicable.

The Environment Agency is just one of many players in the future of chalk streams. No single organisation can improve chalk streams alone; their future is dependent on action by water companies, farmers, landowners and individuals. Sustainable abstraction, reducing demand for water, reducing pollution - particularly from sewage and farmland - and habitat restoration are the key things that will have the biggest impact on the quality and future of chalk streams.

Please do visit the CaBA website to view the strategy and feedback any comments through the official routes.

Information about the Oxford Flood Alleviation Scheme can be viewed at consult.environment-agency.gov.uk/thames/oxfordscheme. Until 31 May 2021 the site contains a survey open for the public to ask questions about the scheme. Following this a video will be produced with members of the project team answering the key questions raised.

The planning application for the Oxford Flood Alleviation Scheme will be submitted in late 2021. Oxfordshire County Council will then consult the public as part of the formal planning application process on the proposed scheme.

The scheme is being developed by the Environment Agency in partnership with Woking Borough Council, Surrey County Council, Surrey Wildlife Trust, Byfleet Flood Forum, Highways England, Thames Water, and the local community. Byfleet has a long history of flooding, with the large September 1968 flood causing significant damage to properties along the River Wey. It was one of the largest floods seen in this area. Byfleet has seen the effects of flooding in more recent years, with notable floods in 2000, 2003 and 2013/14. We held public engagement events in March 2021.

• consult.environment-agency.gov.uk/thames/sanway-byfleet-flood-alleviation-scheme/
• www.gov.uk/government/publications/sanway-byfleet-flood-alleviation-scheme/sanway-byfleet-flood-alleviation-scheme

The Environment Agency, Guildford Borough Council, Surrey County Council and other partners are working together to reduce flood risk in Guildford. The proposed scheme will support Guildford Borough Council in their aspirations to plan and create a town to meet the current and future needs of the community. In July 2020, they established the Guildford Economic Regeneration Programme. This aims to deliver a strategy for the regeneration of Guildford town centre. A new masterplan is being developed. Flood risk management is a key element for the successful sustainable delivery of Guildford’s aspirations. We will also consider how climate change should be managed as part of a future scheme and its likely cost. The Council Executive Committee is planning to approve the Guildford Economic Regeneration Programme Masterplan on 25 May 2021.