British Canoeing

River Thames Scheme

https://www.riverthamesscheme.org.uk/scheme

An update from the Autumn issue: British Canoeing (BC) and canoe clubs in Surrey have attended the River Thames Scheme (RTS) engagement events for responding to the now closed consultation. BC as an interested party ha s also had an individual meeting with RTS at this early stage to discuss public access and overall design.

On access, BC commented the River Thames flows in both channels with an augmented (sweetener) flow. As such each will have an inherent public right of navigation afforded by the Thames Conservancy Act 1932. This will replicate the public right of navigation enjoyed on the Jubilee River flood alleviation scheme.

In response, RTS said the extinguishing of a public right of navigation is n ot ruled out. It is point noted. Public funding for schemes must not remove public rights.

Also, the scheme only a refers to “new green open spaces” having public access. Adding “new blue open spaces” would be appropriate. Access to and along both channels with suitable infrastructure will be a socioeconomic benefit for recreational gain. It would provide a legacy from a publicly financed (600M +) scheme.

For understanding the overall design more fully, to receive enginee ring details such as bank profiles, bridge clearances and weir design, including the intersection of the Runnymede Channel with the Abbey River and flow control , Workshops and a further consultation are said to follow this year. ”

Thames Water

The company hosts a web site with data of stormwater/sewage discharges and the duration of these events. It has already provided useful water quality information for paddlers with the periods of high rainfall early in the New Year. Known as Event Discharge Monitoring (EDM) the information is posted at: https://www.thameswater.co.uk/edm -map .

The draft Water Resources Management Plan 2024 proposes a new river abstraction at Teddington. Highly treated recycled water would be piped from Mogden sewage treatment works in Isleworth to a point upstream of the weir. Abstracted water would then be transferred via an existing underground tunnel to the Lee Valley.

The scheme has previously been rejected by the Environment Agency for the potential impact on the environment. Possible depletion of river flow and water temperature rise could be issues. On the positive side, discharges of normal treated sewage discharges into the tidal Thames at Isleworth Ait could be reduced. The design of the scheme is posted at: https://thames-wrmp.co.uk/new -water-resources/teddington -river-abstraction/

Other plans are for transferring water from the River Severn onto the River Thames and revisiting a scheme for a new reservoir near Abingdon. The consultation period for the draft plan closes 21st March.

Kevin East

Voluntary Waterways & Environment Project Officer

Maps from River Thames and Thames Water websites