MP hoping for River Thames scheme funding as Government reviews flood defences

Windsor's MP is hoping to see Channel One of the River Thames Flood Alleviation Scheme funded as 'national strategic infrastructure' as the Government embarks on a review of flood defences across the country. 

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) is set to launch a consultation this spring reviewing existing flood provisions to boost protection in rural communities across the country.

As part of its Plan for Change, the Labour Government will be investing £2.65billion to build or maintain 1,000 flood defences across the country.

In recent weeks, Windsor MP Jack Rankin met with the Minister for Water and Flooding, Emma Hardy MP to discuss funding for the River Thames Channel One scheme.

In 2020, Datchet, Wraysbury, Horton and Old Windsor (Channel One) were taken out of the Environment Agency’s River Thames flood alleviation scheme, which looked to construct three flood alleviation channels.

This was because the Royal Borough’s former Conservative administration ‘couldn’t afford’ the £53million needed for the borough to be part of it.

Instead, improvement measures to reduce the risk of flooding between Datchet and Hythe End are being explored.

During a Prime Minister’s Question (PMQ) in February, Mr Rankin called for Keir Starmer to ensure Channel One was funded as ‘national strategic infrastructure’.

Mr Starmer reiterated the Government’s investment plans into flood defences and said he understood that options to reduce the risk of flooding in areas of the Windsor constituency are being considered as part of the Datchet to Hythe End Flood Improvement Measures scheme.

He added that he would ensure Mr Rankin met with the relevant minister ‘to take forward the work’.

Mr Rankin has since met with Ms Hardy, and in the meeting, he re-iterated the need to fund Channel One ‘as national strategic infrastructure’ and raised the importance of holistically managing flood defences to protect villages in the constituency.

The Government will be undertaking a country-wide review of flood defences.

After the meeting, Mr Rankin said: “Preventing the disastrous floods we saw in 2013/14 and again last January across Datchet, Horton, Wraysbury and Old Windsor is one of my biggest priorities.

“The ‘gap’ in defences caused by the absence of Channel One is illogical and damages holistic flood management ahead of significant investment.

“I am pleased that the Flooding Minister accepted that the current ‘partnership funding’ mechanism has limitations locally and welcome a review - which I hope leads to a solution that sees Channel One of the River Thames Scheme funded as national strategic infrastructure.

“Time is of the essence. Residents want action to ensure they are protected and I will continue campaigning locally and in Parliament for our villages.”

A DEFRA spokesperson said: “The role of any Government is to protect its citizens. Yet the Government has inherited flood defences in their worst condition on record.  

 “That is why under our Plan for Change, we are investing a record £2.65 billion to build and maintain flood defences to protect lives, homes and businesses across the country.

“We will also launch a consultation to review the existing flood formula to ensure that the challenges facing businesses, and rural and coastal communities, are adequately taken into account when delivering flood protection.”

The consultation will be open to everyone, and the Government will invite all stakeholders, including organisations which play a role in flood resilience, the public and community groups to take part.