The Leader of Vale of White Horse District Council, Cllr Bethia Thomas, has written to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, calling for urgent action on Thames Water’s controversial South East Strategic Reservoir Option (SESRO). Cllr Thomas, said:
“This cost explosion changes everything. SESRO was approved on assumptions that Thames Water itself now admits were wildly inaccurate. Continuing down this path without a full reassessment would be reckless and could leave taxpayers footing the bill for a project that fails to deliver.
“Our previously expressed concerns around the safety of the proposed reservoir, the associated flood risk, and its environmental impact have still not been adequately addressed.
“We are calling on the Secretary of State to intervene, direct Thames Water to prepare a new plan with accurate financial modelling, and ensure that alternatives like the Severn Thames Transfer are properly considered. Our residents deserve transparency, accountability, and solutions that protect both their future and our environment.”
The council encourages residents to have their say on the proposals during the statutory public consultation on SESRO, which runs for 11 weeks from 28 October 2025 to 13 January 2026.
