Sustainable Management of Water Resources (Steventon Reservoir) (Oxfordshire Liberal Democrats)

Oxfordshire Liberal Democrats <info@oxfordshirelibdems.org.uk>

Sustainable Management of Water Resources (Steventon Reservoir)

September 19, 2006 12:00 AM
By Cllr Zoe Patrick in Liberal Democrat Conference

I am pleased to be here today to address conference on this important issue, and firstly to say that as Leader of the Liberal Democrat group on Oxfordshire County Council, we put forward a motion only last week which was about ensuring more eco-friendly homes are built in Oxfordshire. This means that house builders will have to work closely in partnership with district councils to ensure that the highest standards of building regulations are met which tackle a whole range of issues including water conservation in homes and so reduce the impact of climate change.

However, I have come here today to raise the issue of the threat of the massive reservoir proposed by Thames Water within a few miles of my ward, Grove and Wantage. There is a "consultation" process being undertaken at the moment on this "inland sea" which will measure 4 square miles and will have a huge impact both locally and environmentally.

The climatic impact locally could be huge as we have been told that such a large amount of water will cause a greater affect on local climate. For example, fogs will take longer to lift which could have a massive impact on local roads and indeed on the A34. This road is already causing problems for us as it is a huge accident blackspot, and constantly the cause of much congestion and traffic delays, surely this will be made far worse if there is an increased chance of fog for longer. Also in the summer, we have been told there will certainly be an increase in midges and mosquitos, again not something that local residents will welcome.

What is also worrying, is the environmental impact the huge bunds to contain the reservoir at around 80 feet high will have locally - what will this look like locally and when viewed from the Ridgeway? Also, Thames Water say that they would like this reservoir to become an international sailing centre - again what affect will this have on local traffic coming in from all over the country, some towing boats into the area?

We have had a hosepipe ban over the summer, and this has been having an impact upon our local brooks and streams and so affecting the wildlife, on the other hand what the hosepipe ban has taught us as residents is how to conserve water and indeed, we have been told that many people have contributed to this - and this must be a good thing.

But what we must not forget is that all this is very difficult for us to swallow whilst Thames Water continues to have one of the worst records for fixing its water leaks, and this does not appear to be addressed. This came to light when I was watching a TV programme some weeks ago where the presenter was trying to contact the German Company RWE who owns Thames Water to talk about this problem. Indeed, no one would come forward from the Company to speak they argued they were meeting customers' demands. They were not interested in discussing leakages, we were not being taken seriously at all.

I am delighted that Liberal Democrats have taken this issue seriously and brought this motion to conference, and I beg you to support it!