CONSULTATION ON THE PROPOSED NEW RESERVOIR SOUTH WEST OF ABINGDON

In May 2008 Thames Water launched a consultation on its draft Water Resources Management Plan for the 25 years from 2010 to 2035

The Water Resources Management Plan is a statutory requirement for all water companies. It describes how Thames Water plans to ensure that there will be sufficient water available to meet customers' needs over the next 25 years, taking into account factors such as climate change and population growth. It considers ways to reduce the demand for water and then sets out how Thames Water plans to provide any shortfall using additional water resource schemes. Locally, the key feature of the plan is the proposal for a new reservoir south west of Abingdon.

Thames Water would like to hear your views. Your comments will help the company to decide the best way to manage water supplies for London and the Thames Valley to 2035. The public consultation is open for 16 weeks, starting on 7 May 2008 and closing on 27 August 2008. To participate in the consultation, please register now at www.thameswaterconsult.co.uk

In October 2008 Thames Water plans to publish a summary of responses to the consultation, which will explain how comments will be taken into account in the preparation of the final Water Resources Management Plan. The summary will be made available to all participants in the consultation. Subject to approval by the Secretary of State, the final version of the Water Resources Management Plan will be published in July 2009.

This is your chance to have your say on Thames Water’s draft plan and its proposed new reservoir. The parish council will be making discussing the plan at its June meeting and intends to submit comments.