Fears flood defence plan puts swimming spot at risk

Campaigners fear a proposed flood defence scheme to protect thousands of homes and businesses could pollute a popular swimming lake.

The River Thames Scheme involves creating two artificial channels to tackle flooding, with one used to push river water into Ferris Meadow lake, in Shepperton.

The flood defence channel would see new waterways next to the river to cope with overflows and reduce the risk of flooding between Staines and Teddington.

Swimmer Tessa Thorniley told BBC Surrey: “What we’re asking is please don’t channel that water through this lake. There are other options.”

The latest public consultation on the scheme closes at 23:59 BST on Monday.

It sets out eight proposals, including a plan to divide Ferris Meadow lake into two, with swimming in one area and a channel for flood water in another.

The preferred option is to allow a channel of water to flow through the lake, before discharging into the River Thames.

Campaigners against that option say the design impacts open water swimming at Ferris Meadow, and that the proposed public rights of way will threaten local habitats and wildlife.

Nearly 50,000 people opposed a similar proposal last year.

Ms Thorniley, from Hampton Wick, said she is concerned that the favoured option could affect the water quality in the lake.

“It would be really heart breaking if people couldn’t use the lake," she said.

Emma Pattinson, who owns Shepperton Open Water, said: “The benefit of swimming around with nature is massive to people’s mental health.”

If a channel was created to flow in and out of the lake, it would alter the lake's water quality, she said.

“I would be unwilling to run the swimming because it would bring in a new aspect that I can’t account for.

"I won’t know how clean the water is. I wouldn’t be keen to invite people in.”

The River Thames Scheme aims to reduce flood risk to around 11,000 homes and 1,600 businesses.

A spokesperson for the scheme said: "We reviewed a number of options for the River Thames Scheme channel and Ferris Meadow Lake.

"Following a thorough appraisal, we came to a preferred option.

"We have been consulting on that option since 3 September. We encourage anyone who wishes to have their say to respond to the consultation online before it closes on Monday 7 October at 23:59.”

Eddie Rrokaj, the scheme's project director, has said the supplementary consultation will help "ensure that the final design of Ferris Meadow Lake delivers maximum benefits while minimising any potential impacts”.

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