An investigation by the Environment Agency into the potential to store flood water upstream in the catchment has concluded that the benefits are only marginally greater than the costs. Without changes to the methodology mandated by government for calculating cost-benefit ratios the proposal will not qualify for funding. The agency looked at more than 700 potential sites, narrowing these down to 17 viable sites with sufficient volume.

Upstream strorage is one of two approaches the Environment Agency has been exploring as part of the Thames Valley Flood Scheme launched in March 2021. The other approach is natural flood management. These are not alternatives to the Oxford Flood Alleviation Scheme, but additional measures which are likely to be needed because of global warming.

The conclusions of the flood storage study are clearly disappointing, but we understand that discussions have started with DEFRA about the methodology. Any change in policy will take time.

Meanwhile, the natural flood management projects continue. There is a lot of interesting work going on here, see for example the North East Cotswold Farm Cluster, which is part of the Evenlode Catchment Partnership.

Oxford Flood Alliance is a strong supporter of these nature-based initiatives which bring multiple benefits, not just flood-risk reduction.