Windsor and Maidenhead council defends record on flood defences

A council has defended its record on flood alleviation efforts following questions that areas remain at risk.

Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead councillor Ewan Larcombe raised concerns about the status of the River Thames Scheme (RTS), which aims to prevent flooding in the home counties.

The authority withdrew from the project in 2020 over budgeting concerns.

It said options to protect Datchet, Horton, Wraysbury and Old Windsor were still being "proactively explored".

Councillor Larcombe said: "I am concerned because the RTS project is now reduced in size due to the removal of Channel One but the expenditure and the timescales are steadily increasing.

"In my opinion - after many years and previous assurances that have not been kept, combined with lethargic development - this project not only lacks coherence but also exhibits similarities with HS2."

Villages in east Berkshire have been known to experience severe flooding.

The council's cabinet member for environmental services, councillor Richard Coe, said alternative flood alleviation works were being considered.

He added: "All flood risk management projects are complex, multi-stage, significant infrastructure projects and, as such, they take time to identify suitable options working with the community, secure the required permissions and raise the significant investment required from multiple sources in order for them to go ahead.

"Flooding remains a very real risk and concern in Datchet, Horton, Wraysbury and Old Windsor, and we share residents' frustration at the slow pace imposed by national frameworks."

The Environment Agency was contacted for comment.

Follow BBC South on Facebook, X, or Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected].