Tag Archives: politics

Flood scheme making steady progress

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The Environment Agency (EA) says it expects construction of the Oxford Flood Alleviation Scheme to start in late 2026. Following approval of the Compulsory Purchase Order by the Secretary of State in May 2025, the EA is in the process of acquiring the land, and rights over land, needed to construct the scheme. Over the summer the Agency tendered for a construction partner and they expect to announce the company selected by the end of the year. 

Outstanding issues

The project still needs to secure some approvals, including the formal planning permission. Oxfordshire County Council’s Planning and Regulation Committee resolved to grant planning permission last year, subject to the EA signing a Section 106 Agreement relating to biodiversity and habitat management and monitoring. The project team is working closely with the council to conclude this agreement, which they expect to do before the end of the year. The project will then need sign off on the Full Business Case from HM Treasury.

Community relations

The EA is planning to launch a Stakeholder Advisory Group to support engagement with residents. This group will be made up of local individuals who represent the community. They will provide advice and local insights as the project prepares for and begins construction.

The new construction partner will be appointing a Community Liaison Officer to ensure there is a named contact who can respond to immediate concerns relating to the construction site and escalate matters to the site manager and project team, as necessary. 

On site activity 

The project has been installing additional groundwater monitoring devices to collect groundwater data, and gauge boards to measure surface water levels. These will allow them to chart water levels before, during, and after construction of the scheme.

In August, a team surveyed for underground utilities, including electric cables and water and sewage pipes to prevent any disturbance of those assets while installing the new monitoring points.

More information about the scheme can be found here: Oxford Flood Alleviation Scheme | Engage Environment Agency

Housing development blocked by failing sewers

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The Environment Agency has objected to plans for a large housing development just north of Oxford because they believe the Thames Water sewer network will not cope with the extra load.

An article in today’s Guardian says:

‘Thames Water’s treatment plant in Oxford has been illegally discharging sewage for six years, causing significant risk to the rivers and environment from pollution, the EA has said.

‘The increased pressure on the sewage infrastructure from 1,450 new houses planned to the north of Oxford would pose an unacceptable risk of pollution into waterways, the agency said in a letter of objection.

‘It warned it was “not acceptable” for a new housing development to go ahead until Thames Water had carried out the required investment to bring the works within legal limits.’

In recent weeks we have seen dilute sewage leaking out of manhole covers at various locations in west Oxford. We’ve also seen houses and businesses flooded by sewage. All of this sewage is then washing into the local river system. We have asked Thames Water to explain what is going on and what hey plan to do about it but have so far had no adequate response. We have raised the issue with Layla Moran MP.

Without serious investments by Thames Water, more development in the city will result in increased risk of sewer flooding for local residents, and more discharges of sewage polluting our rivers. We must have independent proof that improvements Thames Water plan to make at the Oxford Sewage Treatment Works are adequate and that the company is meeting its legal obligations before more connections are made to the system.

Oxford Flood Alliance welcomes this intervention by the EA.