Grove County Councillor Highlights Residents' Concerns Over Reservoir

12.00.00am GMT Fri 2nd Feb 2007

Liberal Democrats in Grove have conducted a survey to ask residents their views on the current proposals by Thames Water to build a massive reservoir on their doorstep. A questionnaire was delivered to every household in Grove over the Christmas and New Year period. This revealed:

• 67% of the respondents did not think that the reservoir would bring benefits to the area. Only 28% felt this would be the case.

• 82% thought that Thames Water should be required to fix their leaks before permission is given to build a new reservoir. With last summer's hose pipe ban only just lifted, many people think that the company should address this with some urgency.

• Only 25% of respondents agreed with the view that the reservoir would enhance the local environment. 73% disagreed with this view.

Zoé Patrick, County Councillor for Grove and Wantage, conducted the survey on behalf of Grove Liberal Democrats and said "I think this survey indicates that Thames Water still has a long way to go in quelling the fears of Grove residents over this reservoir".

Exhibitions have been staged by Thames Water in other towns and villages, but the company has omitted to come to Grove, which faces large-scale housing development in addition to the prospect of this reservoir. Zoé said "I am very concerned that Grove residents have not had the benefit of a local exhibition and more has not been done to canvass their views".

Although some respondents welcomed the possibility to use the reservoir as an international sailing centre, many people did not see this as an asset and felt it would just increase pressure on the local area.

Particular concerns expressed in the survey included:

a) The vast scale of the reservoir, particularly the size of the 25m high embankments.

b) 20% of the replies expressed concern over traffic and transport problems on already congested roads.

c) The potential hazards of the huge volume of water contained on the land surface.

Zoé will be compiling a response to Thames Water incorporating all the views of those who sent in questionnaires. She called on Thames Water to gauge public opinion on all aspects of the reservoir by performing independent polls across the area. She said "I am pleased that Grove residents have found time to complete our survey. It is vital that Thames Water now takes this sort of consultation forwards on a larger-scale."