River Thames Scheme

Reminder! Our second in-person supplementary consultation event on Ferris Meadow Lake takes place on Monday 16 September at Shepperton Village Hall TW17 9AU.

There will be scheme specialists on hand to answer questions, and documents will be on view to walk you through the detail of the scheme we are consulting on.

You can pick up supplementary consultation brochures and feedback forms to share your feedback. You can also complete the feedback form online.

For more information on supplementary consultation and other event locations both in-person and online, see our website https://orlo.uk/CBDeQ

Are you a business that has been affected by flooding?

The River Thames Scheme has launched a new case study initiative to highlight the real-life impact of flooding on businesses along the Thames. We understand the devastating effects flooding can have on business operations — whether it's property damage, loss of income, or significant disruptions to service. As climate change leads to warmer, wetter seasons and more intense rainfall, the risk of fluvial flooding is increasing, and your experience is more important than ever.

Sharing your story will help illustrate the urgent need to reduce flood risks and demonstrate how the River Thames Scheme can better protect businesses from flooding in the future. Your experience could also provide valuable insights for other businesses looking to strengthen their own flood resilience.

Do you have a story to share?

Has your business suffered property damage, lost income, or faced operational challenges due to flooding? If your business has been affected, we ask you to your story through our case study application form, and our team will follow up with you.

Form: https://orlo.uk/NDKAf
More information: https://orlo.uk/ZUVNn

Reminder! Our first in-person supplementary consultation event on Ferris Meadow Lake takes place tomorrow, Wednesday 11 September at Shepperton Village Hall TW17 9AU.

There will be scheme specialists on hand to answer questions, and documents will be on view to walk you through the detail of the scheme design proposals we are consulting on.

You can pick up supplementary consultation brochures and feedback forms to share your feedback. You can also complete the feedback form online.

For more information on supplementary consultation, event locations, dates and times see our website https://orlo.uk/VMaBK

The River Thames Scheme (RTS) will reduce the risk of flooding to thousands of homes, businesses and vital infrastructure while unlocking the economic, health and environmental benefits of the river between Egham and Teddington.

Based on our appraisal of the options at Ferris Meadow Lake, and consideration of the feedback received during statutory consultation, Option 1 has been identified as the preferred option for the Scheme.

The Option 1 design would involve the Spelthorne Channel passing into Ferris Meadow Lake under a new bridge at Ferry Lane. The channel would pass through the lake before discharging into the River Thames via a flow control structure with a footbridge, at the southern side of the lake.

Why is Option 1 the preferred option?
- It continues to allow for safe swimming in Ferris Meadow Lake.
- It performed best against the Technical and Feasibility Appraisal and Construction Costs criteria.
- It performed very well in the Environmental Design Principles, Environmental Appraisal, Planning Policy and Legislative Appraisal, and the Land Costs.

We are now in supplementary consultation on the proposed scheme design for Ferris Meadow Lake. Find out more https://orlo.uk/XsTqy

Now is an opportunity to have your say as part of our supplementary consultation activity.

We have reviewed feedback from previous consultations and have continued to progress our designs ahead of submitting a Development Consent Order (DCO) next year.

It is vital we get all aspects of the design, construction and operation of the scheme right to ensure we can minimise its impacts and maximise its benefits to our communities.

We would now like you to have your say on the design proposals for Ferris Meadow Lake: https://orlo.uk/CQ9Vc

Supplementary consultation refers to additional rounds of consultation that are conducted after the initial consultation process. This is usually on specific elements of design proposals.

For this instance, the supplementary consultation for the RTS, focusses on the design proposals at Ferris Meadow Lake.

We want to ensure all voices are heard and gather additional feedback which addresses concerns and suggestions made at statutory consultation.

The RTS are keen to show how new information on Ferris Meadow Lake, has been considered to help refine and improve the design proposals based on stakeholder feedback.

We are offering three in person events and two virtual events for you to find out more. You can also pick up information at our dedicated information points.

https://orlo.uk/Pn5wL

Today sees us launch supplementary consultation. The supplementary consultation which will run for just over five weeks, will focus on gathering feedback on the proposed design of the scheme at Ferris Meadow Lake.

In statutory consultation earlier this year (Jan-March 2024), a series of options were presented for Ferris Meadow Lake with a high-level description of what each option entailed.

Since then, additional work has been carried out looking at the options in more detail as well as further options suggested by respondents at statutory consultation.

Now all the option appraisal work is complete, it is time to share our findings and seek your thoughts on this final presented option.

To find out more information on supplementary consultation and how you can get involved: https://orlo.uk/T7tIi

2024 has been a significant year for the River Thames Scheme so far. An accumulation of over a decade of scoping, development, planning and design and engagement has brought us to the working of the delivery of our Development Consent Order (DCO) for 2025.

One key element of the DCO submission, is consultation with our stakeholders. This is important and we aim to encourage as many of our communities; residents, businesses, landowners and interested parties as possible, to share their views via this official route to shape the scheme.

Following statutory consultation early this year and the great numbers who actively participated and the wealth of feedback submitted, we are now fulfilling our commitment to consult further on the design proposal at Ferris Meadow Lake.

Public notices have been published this week ahead of the launch of Supplementary Consultation from Tuesday 3 September.

https://orlo.uk/R8naw

We are pleased to announce the publication of our Statutory Consultation Feedback Summary Report.

This report highlights the views and feedback provided by the public and stakeholders on the RTS.

The feedback is a critical part of shaping the next steps in the design and development of this important project.

The full summary report is available on our website: https://orlo.uk/dHXu6

This week, we are pleased to launch our new RTS Walking Trails map that takes you from Walton Bridge and around Desborough Island or along Broad Water Lake and back. Choose between the two trails or combine them for an extra-long walk whilst learning about the diverse wildlife and history of the area as well as some of our planned habitat creation development.

Some of our schemes key aims are to:
🚲 Improve the sustainable active travel network
🐝 Create, restore and improve wildlife habitats

Download the map from our website: https://orlo.uk/w7Zyl and bookmark the route on your Ordnance Survey account to access it on your OSMaps app:

Desborough Island Loop: https://orlo.uk/hCJYl

Broad Water Loop: https://orlo.uk/5iN7A

Share with us what you find during your walk using the hashtag

Thank you to Surrey Heritage and Surrey County Council for their support.

Want to stay up-to-date with our latest news and information on the River Thames Scheme? Why not sign up to our quarterly newsletter: https://orlo.uk/NTjSt
You can also view the latest news on our website: https://orlo.uk/7YjBh

Have you ever experienced flooding from the River Thames between Egham and Teddington?

We understand how traumatic this devastating experience will have been for you and the impact of an event like this is significant on many levels.

To better protect homes, businesses, and livelihoods from flooding, we are working to reduce flood risk in communities between Egham and Teddington. We’re seeking local residents and business owners who have experienced flooding to share their personal stories and help us demonstrate how important this scheme is in protecting the communities.

Register your interest through a short form in the comments below and a member of our Communications and Engagement Team will be in touch to discuss further details.

The Environment Agency (EA) are currently clearing the debris and sunken craft from the weirs across the lower Thames area. This work is ongoing. Work began at Sunbury, and by the beginning of July the EA had cleared debris and sunken craft from approximately 70% of the weirs.

Once the weirs have been cleared, the EA plan to do a second sweep to pick up any of the debris that the first sweep dislodged. This will also pick up any isolated areas that could not be accessed before due to nesting birds. The EA are also aware of a number of larger boats and vessels that require removal. These are being done last as the EA want flows over the weirs to be as low as possible.

This work is ongoing until completion as it is unclear how much debris is under the water and how much there is to clear.

Congratulations to the winners of the 2024 Flood and Coast Awards 👏🏼

A common question about the River Thames Scheme (RTS) is whether it will create additional water. Let's clarify this misconception.

There will not be any extra water due to the RTS.

The total amount of water that is passing downstream is determined by the rainfall and runoff in the upstream catchment. During the times of high-water flow, the additional gates at Sunbury, Molesey and Teddington Weirs, will allow the water to flow through more efficiently. This means that the water levels upstream will be lowered and reduce the risk of flooding to the whole scheme area.

When the flood channel operates, the water passes down the river more efficiently, leading to a small (1-2%) increase in peak flows passing downstream of the flood channels. By implementing our downstream improvement works; to improve the river capacity, we can fully compensate for the small increase in peak flows.

Our findings show there is no increase in flood risk to communities upstream, or downstream, of the flood channel. In fact, the improvement works, will provide some addition reduction in flood levels to the whole scheme area.

To find out more, click the links in the comments 👇

Have you been spotting butterflies in your garden and local area? Why not join the 🦋

Ready, set, COUNT!

Join us in celebrating the Big Butterfly Count, running until Sunday 4 August! 🦋📅

We've been busy snapping pics of these beautiful creatures and now it's your turn! 🌼

How many can you spot? Grab your cameras, and start your butterfly adventure! 📸

Remember to tag us in your pics!

Find out more about the Big Butterfly Count, link in the comment section below 👇


Butterfly Conservation
River Thames Scheme

It's Day today 💬 Did you know that we have Archaeologists working on the River Thames Scheme? 🔬 We have asked some of our Archaeologists about what they do in the field 🧭 Find out what they said…

This month, our Archaeology Trial Trenching work will start at Laleham ⚒️ Read more about what's involved on our website: https://orlo.uk/VqLzY

🦋 Fluttering Fun Fact! 🦋

Did you know there are 59 species of butterflies fluttering around the UK? That's right!

Join us in celebrating the Big Butterfly Count, running until Sunday 4 August! 🦋📅

We've been busy snapping pics of these beautiful creatures in our gardens and local parks, and now it's your turn! 🌼

How many can you spot? Grab your cameras, head outside, and start your butterfly adventure! 📸

Tag us in your pics and let's celebrate the beauty of nature together!

Ready, set, COUNT!


Butterfly Conservation
River Thames Scheme

Find out more about the Big Butterfly Count, link in the comment section below 👇

Every July, Swan Uppers embark on a 5 day journey up the River Thames, starting tomorrow, Monday 15th July, from Sunbury-On-Thames to Abingdon-On-Thames to monitor and count the Mute Swan population, perform health checks, and educate the public on swan conservation 🦢

"Last year saw a considerable downturn in cygnet numbers due to the loss of many of the breeding pairs during the outbreak of Avian Influenza. So far this year we have received very few reports of Avian Influenza cases within the swan population in the Thames valley; this is very positive." - Royal Swan

The River Thames Scheme active travel proposed design, is aiming to achieve a healthier and more sustainable future for all.

As well as reducing the risk of flooding to thousands of homes and businesses, we are increasing biodiversity, creating more access to green open spaces and sustainable travel routes including:
🚲 The creation of safe, segregated cycling paths and improved walkways
🧑🏽‍🦼 Inclusive routes for all ages and abilities, including wheeled mobility users
👣 The construction of new footbridges to enhance connectivity between local communities
🌳 Creation of new green open spaces that fit into the natural landscape

Link in the comments section below 👇

The Big Butterfly Count 2024 is here! 🦋 Get yourselves outside in the garden and local areas from the 12th July - 4th August in the name of citizen science and supporting butterfly conservation efforts 🔎 To take part, just snap a photo of a butterfly or moth and upload it to their website or easy-to-use app 📷