We have had a reply to an email OFA sent the Prime Minister on on 7 January about the urgent need for the Oxford Flood Alleviation Scheme. The response is from Anna Burns, Area Director – Thames, the Environment Agency, and begins: ‘The Prime Minister was grateful to meet with you and other residents of Oxford to see the impact of the flooding caused by Storm Henk, and to learn more about the Environment Agency’s progress with the scheme. He has read your email and asked me to respond on his behalf.’

The email then provides detail about the recent flooding, the EA’s response and the the current status of the planned flood alleviation scheme. Responding to our plea for faster progress, Ms Burns says: ‘I understand your frustration with the pace of the planning process, more so now given the events of recent weeks. However, I want to assure you that the Environment Agency are doing all they can to get the scheme approved and begin construction as soon as possible.’