The River Thames Scheme Introduced

The River Thames Scheme is aimed to reduce flood risk from Datchet to Teddington through a proposed program of projects and investment in communities near Heathrow.

Over 15,000 homes and businesses within the area are currently at risk from flooding from a 1 in 100 flood (that is a flood with a 1% chance of occurring in any one year).

Everyone within the area will benefit from a reduction in their flood risk once all the work is complete. It will also provide significant economic, social and environmental benefits, including new wildlife habitats and areas for recreation.

The work, based on the preferred plan in the 2010 Lower Thames Flood Risk Management Strategy, consists of various plans.

These include:

• constructing a new flood channel (in 3 locations) 30 to 60 meters wide and 17 kilometers long);
• improving weirs at Sunbury, Molesey and Teddington;
• installing property level products (such as flood doors and pumps to manage water levels, to make homes more resistant to flooding);
• improving flood incident response plans for the Environment Agency, emergency services and local councils. This will include better use of temporary flood defenses;
• creation of over 40 hectares of new wildlife habitats;
• working with communities to raise flood awareness and supporting them to prepare for flooding. Supporting them to produce community and personal flood plans, and to help them to recover from flooding afterwards.

This is a partnership scheme consisting of 7 local councils (Elmbridge Borough Council, Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames, London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, Runnymede Borough Council, Spelthorne Borough Council, Surrey County Council, Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead), the Regional Flood and Coastal Committee and Thames Water to develop the scheme.