West Berkshire Council holds consultation on flood alleviation scheme in Thatcham

West Berkshire Council (WBC) is conducting a public consultation on the build of a new flood drainage basin.

The basin, dubbed the Thatcham Memorial Fields Flood Alleviation Scheme, is not the first of its kind in Thatcham.

To date, large flood alleviation schemes have been built at Cold Ash Hill, Tull Way, Floral Way and South East Thatcham.

The district council says this is protecting 913 properties from the impact of surface water flooding.

Construction of three flood attenuation ponds at Bowling Green Road, Heath Lane and East Thatcham are currently underway and WBC hopes that they will be completed by the end of the year.

Once completed, it says a further 107 properties will be protected from the impact of surface water flooding.

These basins are a response to the 2007 Thatcham floods which saw around 1,200 homes flooded.

WBC says the aim of the scheme is to protect the remaining Thatcham properties which do not currently benefit from the other basins in the area.

This particular drainage basin will be located within the Memorial Fields Recreation Ground on Bath Road.

Upon completion, a minimum of 73 properties would be at a lower risk of flooding.

Both online and face-to-face consultations will be taking place to gather residents' opinions on the project.

It is hoped that the basin will be a 0.85-hectare structure with a 120m long swale.

Residents participating in the consultation online can complete the survey at https://shorturl.at/gDGPR

More information and a map can be found on the council website too.

The deadline is midnight on Sunday, August 6.

A paper copy of the survey can be requested by emailing floodAlleviation@westberks.gov.uk

In-person sessions will be held at the Public Exhibition, Memorial Hall in Thatcham on August 4 and August 5.

There is no need to book, just turn up.