Have your say: proposed flood defences for the Thames
Floods have been close to our area a few times in recent years, most notably in 2014 and 2003 when the Thames path was under water for a time and homes in low lying areas of Caversham were in danger of flooding.
The Environment Agency is investigating how to reduce flooding from the River Thames in north Reading and Lower Caversham. A number of options have been identified, all of which need further investigation to decide which, if any, could be taken forward. One of these options includes extra flood defences on the south bank of the Thames that might reduce flooding in our area.
The Environment Agency would like to hear your views on the options they have been investigating as well as general feedback to help make sure they have considered all possible options before developing a design.
Full details and the online consultation are at https://consult.environment-agency.gov.uk/thames/reading-and-caversham-flood-reduction-options/. The deadline for responses is Thursday 26 July 2018.
I live off Lynmouth Road on the south side of The Thames in the town centre. I would like to see appropriate measures taken to reduce the risk of flood damage during the 0.5% extreme risk scenarios that do not diminish the enjoyment of the riverbank for 99.9% of the time. Thus I would like to see temporary flood alleviation plans not a new permanent wall on the river bank.
I would be very surprised if permanent walls were proposed but several of my neighbours seem concerned.