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Environment Agency and government need to do more to prevent flooding in the Vale 

Published Monday 20 January 2025

The decision to drop a scheme to improve flood defences in the Thames Valley has been branded ‘disappointing’, and the government should do more to protect communities, according to the Leader of Vale of White Horse District Council. 

Cllr Bethia Thomas has written two letters, one to the Chief Executive of the Environment Agency and another to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, on the issue of flooding in the district. 

The letters follow a Council meeting in December where Members pledged to push for better flood prevention and support for the district. 

In the letter to the Environment Agency, Cllr Thomas set out the challenge faced by the district last year following short periods of extremely heavy rainfall, where several areas within the Vale experienced significant flooding on three separate occasions. She stressed how: “…these incidents – due to our changing climate – are becoming more frequent and are hampering the lives and economies of our communities on a more regular basis.” 

Cllr Thomas expressed the council’s disappointment that the Environment Agency has decided not to proceed with the Thames Valley Flood Scheme on the grounds of cost effectiveness, given the devastating impact that flooding has had on both residents and businesses last year. Cllr Thomas also flagged her letter to government asking for a review of the district’s flooding support needs. 

In a second letter to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Cllr Thomas emphasised the council’s disappointment the Environment Agency has decided not to proceed with the Thames Valley Flood Scheme.  

Cllr Thomas also highlighted the need for further action to be taken to help protect those areas of the Vale which experience regular incidences of flooding. The letter called for government to review whether the level of resources currently being spent on flood prevention and mitigation is high enough and to reassess whether the allocation of funding for flood prevention and mitigation to the Vale is adequate/fit for purpose. 

View both letters here on the Vale’s official correspondence page.