Call for Berkshire Channel of River Thames Scheme to be reinstated with full government funding
RBWM is calling for the Berkshire Channel of the River Thames Flood Alleviation Scheme – previously known as ‘Channel One’ – to be reinstated with full Government funding, recognising its national significance.
The council says: “Channel One was removed from the scheme several years ago, because it was considered neither viable nor deliverable without significant additional external funding, or the greater flexibility which we sought over council tax at the time.
“The inclusion of the Berkshire Channel would reduce flood risk for communities downstream of Windsor, including Datchet, Horton, Wraysbury and Old Windsor, which were most recently affected in January 2024 following significant rainfall.”
The call comes as the Government has officially recognised the Surrey section of the now-reduced scheme as a ‘project of national significance’, requiring the Environment Agency and Surrey County Council to apply for a Development Consent Order as part of a national planning process.