This week sees the launch of the statutory consultation on proposals for the River Thames Scheme (RTS) by the Environment Agency, Surrey County Council and local borough partners – the scheme covers part of the largest area of undefended, developed floodplain in England.

Detailed work on the current RTS started just over a decade ago. Communities in the area have suffered major floods in the past - the scheme will reduce the risk of flooding for communities along the River Thames between Egham and Teddington. With the increase of wetter and warmer weather, the risk of flooding is likely to become a more frequent occurrence.

The stretch of river and the floodplain between Egham and Teddington offers miles of open-space opportunity, but it is currently constrained by flood risk, lack of access and poor-quality natural habitats, overcoming which requires investment.

The scheme will include a new flood channel passing though the boroughs of Runnymede and Spelthorne. The flood channel built in two sections – one through Runnymede (between Egham Hythe and Chertsey), and one through Spelthorne (between Littleton North lake and the Desborough Cut). It also includes capacity increases downstream of the Desborough Cut and the weirs at Sunbury, Molesey and Teddington.

The RTS has been designated as a project of national significance - because of the classifiication the scheme needs a Development Consent Order (DCO).

To support the landscape-based approach of the flood alleviation scheme the surrounding areas of green infrastructure – green space – that run along the channel will provide better connections within and across the area and encourage more sustainable travel.

Wherever possible the aim is for the two sections of the channel, to look as much like the natural landscape as possible and provide better access to green open spaces and deliver a more sustainable travel network with additional bridges in scope of the design, to link both sides of the river.

The Environment Agency and Surrey County Council are the lead partners for this scheme. Once the scheme is complete, the Environment Agency will own and maintain the blue infrastructure while Surrey County Council will own and maintain the green infrastructure.

Since agreeing a design in principle for the RTS, the scheme has been engaging with local communities – residents and businesses and key stakeholders. Last year the scheme also held a non-statutory consultation which has helped inform, influence and refine the current design.

Jeanne Capey Project Director for the RTS said:

“Thanks to our dedicated team, we successfully refined our landscape and green infrastructure designs, with the invaluable support from the community. Since the non-statutory consultation in 2022, we had strengthened our ties with the community, collaborating closely with local planning authorities and leveraging councillors' influence to widen our engagement reach.'

The RTS is keen to gather as much feedback as possible about these more detailed plans - the statutory consultation runs for six weeks starting from 22 January 2024 to 11.59pm on Monday 4 March.

Dave Bedlington Environment Agency lead for the River Thames Scheme commented:

'In developing a scheme of this size, we must consider many different factors. This includes the environmental impact of our proposals. To do this we undertake surveys and modelling work. The results of this work go into producing a Preliminary Environmental Impact Report (PEIR) which identifies any environmental effects (good and bad) and provide possible solutions.'

Once the consultation has closed on 4 March 2024, the partnership will review all the suggestions and comments received during the consultation period as it makes further refinements to the proposed design and develop any mitigation measures.

A summary of the responses will be set out in a consultation report which will form part of the DCO application and will be available to the public following submission of the application which is expected to be made mid 2025. If the application for a DCO is accepted by the Planning Inspectorate, on behalf of the Secretary of State, an Examining Authority will consider the application, and any representations.

If the DCO application is approved, work on the scheme is expected to start in late 2026.

Costing £640 million, the scheme represents the largest investment in flood risk in the UK to date. £404 million has already been committed including £308 million government investment and £95 million of further partnership funding.

In August 2023 the Environment Agency and Surrey County Council issued a Prior Information Notice inviting interested suppliers to register their interest in taking part in a final round of market engagement prior to commencing the procurement process for the Construction Partner.for the River Thames Scheme.

However, to date no formal contract notice has subsequently been issued.

Click here to access the consultation documents, including the brochure and Preliminary Environmental Information Report (PEIR) and associated materials.