The Environment Agency has celebrated the completion of the new £5.2 million Great Shefford flood alleviation scheme to better protect 26 local properties against flooding from the nearby Great Shefford Stream.
Photo: new pipework as part of Great Shefford flood scheme
The scheme works by diverting water around the village along a specially constructed 1km diversion channel. It has a ‘passive’ design, so it doesn’t need to be manually operated. The new waterway is a mix of underground pipeline, rectangular culverts and an open channel section with a backwater at is confluence with the Lambourn. The channel provides significant environmental enhancement, ensuring the project achieves biodiversity net gain.
Anna Burns, Thames area director for the Environment Agency, said:
“We are delighted that the Great Shefford flood scheme was completed in the summer. The village has been badly affected in the past by property flooding, and we hope the scheme allows residents better peace of mind should we be facing heavy rains in the months ahead.”
Support from partners was critical to the successful delivery of the scheme. The Great Shefford flood alleviation association raised £80,000, which was instrumental in securing wider funding. The local community provided ongoing support throughout construction and West Berkshire Council worked collaboratively through the planning process to ensure the Environment Agency could complete the project.
The construction works, which commenced in May 2024, involved the following organisations:
- Construction was undertaken by BAM and supported by their designers Stantec
- Management of the construction contract was undertaken by Advantage RSK, together with Binnies
- Mott Macdonald provided site supervision and environmental clerk of works oversight
- Jacobs were previously involved having undertaken the appraisal work
Nick Voysey, Great Shefford resident and secretariat of the Lambourn Valley Flood Forum commented:
“The completion of this scheme will not only be of huge benefit to those residents of Great Shefford who have suffered in the past from repeated flooding of their properties, with all the trauma and distress that involves, but it will also be of very significant benefit to the wider community.
“The project, completed by the Environment Agency, will hopefully prove to be of great value to the Lambourn Valley for many years, as we all have to learn to deal with the effects of climate change affecting our lives.”
In February 2025, government announced funding of £2.65 billion towards flood and coastal risk management, with a 2-year (2024/25 and 2025/26) target of 52,000 properties better protected.
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