Lorry fears over reservoir plan (From Oxford Mail)

Lorry fears over reservoir plan

7:35pm Tuesday 13th April 2010 in

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CAMPAIGNERS fighting the proposed Abingdon Reservoir have highlighted a report that reveals the project will involve almost 900 vehicle movements a day.

The Group Against Reservoir Development (GARD) believes the environmental report – written by Thames Water, which is behind the project – shows, for the first time, the ‘massive upheaval and environmental damage’ that would be created in the area.

It claims the estimated 890 vehicle movements would create “huge problems” along the A34 and A415 Marcham Road, where most of the lorries would travel in order to deliver 300m tonnes of rock and construction material during the nine-year project.

The report states the A34 would also need to be diverted, while a structure is built underneath for a water channel. But it does not specify how long the road would be affected, or what the alternative route would be.

A public inquiry into the £1bn reservoir on land between Steventon, East Hanney and Drayton is due to start by June 21.

Thames Water has declined to comment on the report, but pointed out it had been available since 2008.

Chairman of GARD, Nick Thompson, said: “This report shows the potential the reservoir has to create massive problems with traffic and the environment.

“The A34 is already at capacity so you have to wonder where these vehicles will go – especially as the report mentions either closing the A34 or diverting it.”

He added: “It’s taken a while to get hold of this document from Thames Water.

“We’ve put in a hell of a lot of work and will be ready for the fight in the summer.

Thames Water wants to build the reservoir by 2026, to deal with a predicted increase in demand from homes and businesses in Oxfordshire, the Thames Valley and London until 2035.

However, GARD accuses Thames Water of not doing enough to look at alternative solutions, such as repairing the system’s leaking pipes and transferring water from the River Severn.

Wren Wooster, GARD member from Steventon, said: “The A34 is already the most congested road in this part of the country and this will make it worse. It will also have to be diverted – and with 47,000 cars on it per-day that will cause massive problems.”

The Hanney to Steventon road would also be diverted for about 18 months while construction of the reservoir embankment is completed.

Delivery lorries would only be permitted to access the site via the A415 Marcham Road, and not through Marcham village.

Group member Glynn Davies said: “Nine hundred vehicle movements a day is massive and will cause real issues, particularly for people in Marcham where the proposed access is.

“Thames Water is not really playing the game, by not releasing the information they are getting on alternative solutions. This should never have gone to a public inquiry.”

Last night Thames Water spokesman Becky Johnson said: “We do not wish to comment before the inquiry, which will look at all aspects of supply and demand in the Thames Water catchment.”