CPRE Oxfordshire Press Release

9 November 2006: For Immediate Release

Today Thames Water's consultation on its grandiose scheme to build a huge reservoir near Abingdon, Oxfordshire closes. [1] Thames Water plans one of the largest construction projects in Europe and says that it is essential to keep the taps flowing. But the response rate has been limp. Less than 500 people and organisations have responded. [2] Andy Boddington says why this is so:

"From the beginning, Thames Water have regarded this more as a public relations exercise than a consultation. They are not interested in whether the residents of Oxfordshire think the reservoir is the right idea or not. They didn't even ask that question on the feedback form. [3] Why respond to someone who is not listening?"

"This is intended to be one of the largest construction projects in Europe. It is trumpeted as the solution to London's water supply problems. Yet less than 500 people responded. Why? It is because people know that Thames Water is not interested in listening to anyone who thinks that the reservoir is unnecessary." [4]

"Local councils and the Environment Agency remain sceptical about the plans. Support for this scheme is leaking away faster than the water from Thames Water's pipes." [5]

ENDS

Contacts:
Andy Boddington, Campaign Manager, Campaign to Protect Rural England, Oxfordshire.

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[1] The reservoir will contain 680 million litres of water. It will cover 4 square miles and 8 square miles of countryside will be affected. It will cost around £900 million. The embankments will be 80 feet high, 30 feet higher than the nearby tower of Steventon village church.

[2] Thames Water spokesman Duncan McCombie told Sybil Ruscoe on Radio Oxford on 9 November that less than 500 responses have been received.

[3] The feedback form, only available at the exhibition, does not ask whether respondents agree with the reservoir proposal or not.

[4] Thames Water has said that it will exhibit the detailed designs for the reservoir early next year; this alone shows that it has no intention in listening to those that think that the case for the reservoir is "not proven".

[5] Thames Water leaks 894 million litres of clean water a day and has yet to meet any of Ofwat's targets for reducing leakage. It is bullish on construction of the reservoir but timid on water conservation and reducing leakage. Thames Water should be working with its customers to reduce their consumption from around 164 litres per head a day (l/h/d) to the national average of 150 l/h/d. And it should be insisting that all new developments are built to the highest water efficiency standards.