THE public is to get more time to have its say on the proposed new reservoir between Abingdon and Wantage, thanks to new Government legislation.

Changes to the Water Industry Act mean all water companies have to undertake full public consultation on their draft water resources management plans before they are submitted to the Government for approval.

The period available for the public's views will be extended by two years, allowing more people to have their say on the controversial proposals for the huge £1bn Oxfordshire project. It also means that any applications for work to begin will not be lodged until 2009 at the earliest.

The chairman of the Vale of White Horse District Council's reservoir advisory group Tony de Vere, said: "I welcome the extended public consultation period but am disappointed that this was not sorted out before now.

"We have put a lot of work into responding to the consultation exercises last year and this year, pinpointing key questions, many of which have not been answered.

"I hope our efforts won't be wasted on a project which has a long, start-stop-start history."