£1bn reservoir would be ‘huge act of vandalism’ (From Herald Series)

£1bn reservoir would be ‘huge act of vandalism’

7:59pm Sunday 7th December 2008

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A campaigner opposing plans for a £1bn reservoir near Abingdon has claimed the scheme would amount to a “gigantic act of vandalism” if it went ahead.

Michael Robson, chairman of Group Against Reservoir Development (Gard), addressed more than 100 villagers at a packed Drayton Village Hall on Friday.

Neighbours gathered to discuss Thames Water’s plans to build a reservoir on farmland near Steventon and East Hanney.

Some raised concerns about the impact the reservoir might have on flooding, and the loss of 6.5 square miles of agricultural land.

Mr Robson said: “There are better alternatives to meeting water needs in the future.

“It’s an unnecessary reservoir and would be a gigantic act of vandalism.”

Environment Agency chairman Chris Smith told the meeting: “We need to be absolutely sure that all other alternative options will be properly looked at before we consider supporting a reservoir of such size.”

Thames Water says there would be a daily deficit of 600 million litres of water by 2035 without the reservoir.

The Government is yet to decide whether to hold a public inquiry into the plans.

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