Canal users raise concerns over reservoir

Thames Water wants to build the 4.5 sq mile (7 sq km) site near Abingdon

Users of a historic canal have raised concerns about proposals for a large reservoir.

Thames Water wants to build the 4.5 sq mile (7 sq km) site near Abingdon, Oxfordshire, which it says will provide supplies for 15 million people across the south east.

It also favours constructing an underground tunnel as part of the infrastructure required to lower the water level when required.

But the Wiltshire and Berkshire Canal Trust said if the reservoir was built, it would be on top of the canal route, and is campaigning for an open channel instead.

The planned reservoir, located between East Hanney and Drayton, would hold 150,000,000 m3 of water from the River Thames.

'Engage now'

Thames Water said the site requires an emergency run-off channel to regulate supplies, and an underground discharge tunnel would be less impactful on the environment and highway network, avoiding a complex crossing of the A34.

However, Richard Shackleton, chair of the East Vale and Abingdon branch of the trust, said: "We’re very keen that should it go ahead that we maximise the benefit to the public."

He said the water company's preferred option "provides no benefits" whereas the alternative would provide a walkway, and a dedicated cycleway. Bridges would also be built.

He added: "We’ll be able to get boats through and under the A34 and round the reservoir, but it would also be a very green and pleasant walkway through disused gravel pits to the landscaped area round the reservoir."

He said people needed to "engage now" with the consultation "otherwise this unique opportunity will be lost".

Richard Shackleton said Thame Water's preferred option provided no benefits to canal users

A Thames Water spokesperson said they were "extremely grateful" for the trust's continued input, and that they would "read all consultation responses and provide feedback on the preferred design options early next year".

They also said the interim masterplan would reserve space for the potential future route of the canal to ensure the "protection of the canal corridor alignment".

The consultation closes on 28 August.

Thames Water aims to start construction in 2029, subject to a decision by the Secretary of State, and open the reservoir by 2040.

Group Against Reservoir Development, the Campaign to Protect Rural England Oxfordshire, and Oxfordshire County Council have previously objected to the reservoir, citing its scale, cost, and environmental impact.

A previous bid to build a reservoir on the site in 2011 was rejected by the government.

The trust favours the channel option (above) as opposed to the tunnel (below)