e-mail from Phil

(e-mail from Phil in Wraysbury

Thanks for keeping everyone informed through the recent flooding scare, Maggie. Thankfully, as far as I know, Wraysbury and the Lower Thames were spared serious flooding. That is quite an achievement by the E.A., in the wettest early summer on record. No doubt the Jubillee River was a useful tool in managing the water flow. I hope that people, Wraysbury Parish Council in particular, will give credit where it is due. I hope that they will write to the E.A., to the Royal Borough, to the Emergency Services, and to our M.P., thanking them for their reassuring help during the recent emergency.

1. We can urge the responsible authorities to speed up the construction of the next stage of the Jubillee River, from Datchet to below Bell Weir. That is the only measure which will provide real security to the Wraysbury area. (Many people argued that the lower stage should be constructed first, but we were ignored.)

3. We can urge the E.A. to survey the Colne Brook below Wraysbury Station, and to clear any obstructions. (The Colne Brook behaved itself this time, but heavy rain in its catchment area could cause problems. It overflowed in 2003.)

4. We can urge the Royal Borough to urgently clear the Wraysbury Drain, (which is their direct responsibility), and to arrange for the clearance of the Ankerwyke Drain, (which is the responsibility of the Riparian Owners). This won't stop the Thames or the Colne Brook from overflowing, but it will help to disperse the water if they do, and in the meantime it will help disperse localised flooding.

5. We can urge the Royal Borough to clear our road drains. (Station Road was flooded by Tithe Lane during the heavy rains. I didn't see Staines Road that day, but it normally floods in heavy rain).