If you are new to the village we hope this website will be an information source to the services and amenities we enjoy. If you are visiting us or simply browsing the web we hope it tells you something about our community and its many organisations. Those who already live here are invited to contribute to the site’s development with ideas, articles and photographs. We also need everyone’s help to ensure it reflects the dynamism of village life in the 21st century.
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Drayton Parish Council Consultation Response Thames Water Abingdon Reservoir: Pre DCO Informal Consultation on SESRO
The GARD local group have produced a comprehensive and professionally accredited
resume of the issues regarding this, and Drayton Parish Council agrees with their concerns .
In particular we support their view on the following:- Proof of the Need: The need and functional case for the reservoir are not
adequately proven. The Water Resource Management Plans (WRMP) have still not
been approved by Government, and the EA and Ofwat have expressed concerns. - Viable Alternatives: As the need appears to have been volumetrically over stated
we feel that alternatives providing adequate supply at lower cost/lower environmental
impact, and earlier completion, have not been given sufficient consideration. Perhaps
the Severn Thames transfer? - Design Strategy: The civil engineering design principles for the reservoir wall
have been widely called into question as flawed and unproven. Similar projects have
shown problems of inadequacy even during construction and not under final loading. - Competence: A real concern is Thames Water’s historic inability to address
mains supply leakage and sewage containment. This does not inspire confidence for
the community, and neither does their widely and often reported financial situation as
a viable business. A particular concern since large infrastructure projects of this type
routinely suffer from flawed briefing and end up over time and over budget. - Environmental impact/Biodiversity: Thames Water fact sheet on the
‘Environmental Impact Assessment’ provides no confidence that the environment will
be enriched by the reservoir. The glossy pictures provided bear no resemblance to
the actual landscape. The current environment is one of flat pastureland, with arable
fields divided by ancient hedgerows, streams and brooks, all rich in diversity of
vegetation, insect, bird and animal life. Vegetation is characterised by very old Willow
trees and streams with steep banks which are rich habitats for wildlife. The area often
floods in winter, providing a habitat for birds.
Currently the area is well used by the local population for walking, running and riding
on the bridleways that cross the landscape. It provides a significant green space for
animals and people.
Given the lack of an environmental assessment by Thames Water, plus the lack of
any relevant detail about the current biodiversity of the area, there is no evidence at
all that the proposed design of a bund contained reservoir would improve on the
current level of environmental diversity.
Drayton Parish Council is not convinced by this flawed project, and supports a Public
Enquiry, as demanded by GARD and many local MPs, Councils, and campaign
groups.Graham Webb: Vice Chair: Drayton Parish Council
August 2024 - Proof of the Need: The need and functional case for the reservoir are not
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Traffic Calming – New Pedestrian Crossings
The Parish Council has been working with Oxfordshire County Council and their contractor (Milestone) to implement two new Pedestrian Crossings in Drayton.
One will be located at the junction of Abingdon Road/Chestnut Drive and the other on the High Street.
Draft designs for the new crossings are show below.
New Crossing at Chestnut Drive/Abingdon Road
Download image Chestnut Drive-Abingdon Road.png
New Crossing on the High Street
Download image High Street Crossing Plan.jpg
Download image High Street Crossing.png
The new crossing on the High Street also includes works to widen the pavement on the North side of the crossing.
If you have any questions or concerns you would like to raise about the new crossings, please contact the Clerk (clerk@draytonpc.org)
