Public inquiry date set for proposed £1bn reservoir between Abingdon and Wantage (From The Oxford Times)

Public inquiry date set for proposed £1bn reservoir between Abingdon and Wantage

7:00am Wednesday 23rd December 2009

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CAMPAIGNERS against a planned £1bn reservoir between Abingdon and Wantage are drawing up battle lines after a date was announced for a public inquiry.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has revealed the inquiry into Thames Water’s Water Resources Management Plan will take place next June.

The plan outlines how the company will meet demand for water until 2035 — and a key aspect of it is to build the reservoir on farmland between Steventon, East Hanney and Drayton by the year 2026.

The reservoir would hold 150bn litres of water and supply an extra 350m litres of water a day, mainly to homes and businesses in London.

In August, the Government agreed to hold an inquiry into the project.

Members of the Group Against Reservoir Development (GARD) argue there are better ways to meet the demand for water.

Nick Thompson, GARD’s chairman, said: “We have some extremely strong arguments and this will be an interesting fight. There are lots of other answers for more water, such as repairing the system’s leaking pipes and transferring water from the Severn.”

He said: “We’re not quite sharpening our swords yet but we are poisoning the drink.”

GARD has been told the inquiry will start no later than June 21 and it is expected to last between three and four weeks. A venue has not been set.

The inspector appointed to hold the inquiry is Wendy Burden.

GARD has until January 19 to put in other representations and must have made its statement of case by March 3.

Michael Robson, GARD’s vice-chairman, said: “The appointment of an inspector has absolutely focused our campaign. We don’t feel Thames Water have given proper consideration to the alternatives put forward by GARD.

“The only way we will get an open examination is through an inquiry.”

GARD, which has about 100 members, is launching a recruitment drive and is soon going live with a new website.

Graeme Creighton, 57, of Mill Street, Steventon, said: “Now a date has been set I just hope GARD has enough time to prepare.

“My biggest concern is that it’s steamrollered through and they don’t take any notice of GARD’s arguments. They are just a small group and we’re not convinced there’s a need for a reservoir.”

GARD has been funded by the Campaign to Protect Rural England.

Richard Aylard, Thames Water’s sustainability director, said: “A large new reservoir in Oxfordshire remains an important part of our long-term plan to provide enough water for our customers.

“We recognise that the plan raises a number of important issues and we, therefore, welcome the Government’s decision to call a public inquiry.”

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