Thames secures approval for Abingdon embankment trial

Thames Water has secured planning approval from the Vale of White Horse District Council for a reservoir embankment trial which will inform design plans for the Abingdon reservoir.

The trial will use land within the proposed reservoir site to create a test embankment, assessing how much water it absorbs and how the clay changes when compacted. Work is due to begin this summer and take around 12 months.

Leonie Dubois, Thames Water’s head of engagement, land and consents, said: “We listen carefully to residents and understand that they want assurances about the design and integrity of the reservoir. This is why we’re starting the process to understand local ground conditions at a really early stage.”

Abingdon would provide up to 271Ml of water per day. Should Thames secure government approval for the 150 billion litre capacity reservoir, also known as the South East Strategic Resource Option (SESRO), it intends to submit a Development Consent Order in 2026, seeking permission to construct and maintain the new reservoir. If granted, construction is forecast to begin in 2029 with SESRO planned to begin operating in 2040.