Oxford MP challenges Abingdon reservoir resurrection

Oxford West and Abingdon MP, Layla Moran, last week led a Parliamentary debate challenging intentions, scoped out most recently in the Water Resources South East (WRSE) emerging regional plan, to revive plans for a major reservoir in Abingdon, now known as the South East Strategic Reservoir Option.

Moran raised constituents concerns, including on size (7km2), disruption (eight to ten years), cost and environmental impact. She challenged some key assumptions behind the plan, including on population growth and called out as unacceptable the redactions in Thames Water’s background environmental impact assessment.

She pointed to a “better alternative” in the Severn Thames transfer, and questioned the governance of WRSE, contrasting it with the multi-stakeholder board composition of Water Resources East which she said maximises engagement.

Moran called on water minister, Rebecca Pow, to “thoroughly interrogate the proposal for this reservoir, especially as the secretary of state has sign-off for the regional plan in spring 2023”. Pow cited in her response factors including looming shortages, the need for resilient water supplies, the need to protect chalk streams and upcoming opportunities to feed into water resources planning consultations.