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Much about Abi-Res is double-edged. Some will want the upturn in the local economy that a giant infrastructure project can bring. I've been in Cholsey since 1993. The village is more than 10 km by crow from the nearest part of the scheme, so Abi-Res is barely in my backyard. Cholsey lies downstream of the reservoir and close to the River Thames. Being a competent hydrologist, I chose higher ground within the village. [When moving south in 1979, we lived in Marcham. So, yes, I've long known that a scheme was vaguely lurking for a reservoir near Abingdon. But not SESRO.] Those living close to Abi-Res will fear 15 years of acute disruption while the thing is built and commissioned. Despite a studious short in 1988 and an epic comedy-drama in 1989, Marcham never got its bypass. I fear for its connectivity once construction starts. Five other villages and many of the 38,000 who live in Abingdon will also be greatly affected.Amenity and environmental benefits of Abi-Res are double-edged. Some impressive features are promised. Which will actually be delivered? Will the scale of the scheme attract recreational & amenity tourism from afar: long car journeys to exploit the facilities? How else will folk reach the reservoir? A 10 km circuit on the dam's crest: tempting for serious runners and sponsored walks? But big is not beautiful. Saying anything about dam-break flood risk is double-edged. Mercifully, many will just accept the reservoir and get on with life. More sensitive souls will live in dread: irrespective of whether the statutory Reservoir Flood Map is ever published. The map won't be published for fear of crashing property values. I had thought that guarantees written into the Reservoir (Safety Provisions) Act 1930 — to release safety reports and flood plans to those potentiallyaffected by the escape of water— were implicitly retained when the Reservoir Act 1975 was implemented in 1983 and 1986. However, the provision was subverted in (or even before) Sections 77 & 78 of the Water Act 2003. The Secretary of State can withheld the statutory reservoir flood plan from any or all parties in the interests of national security. You'll need to befriend an emergency planner to see the map. The Insurance Sector will be comfortable with the ambiguity. Yes, the dam may well prove structurally resilient. It's truly massive. But in the event of war it will be a sitting duck for missile or chemical attack. If this were a smaller scheme, it wouldn't be a target. Big is disastrous. |
| Site last updated: January 2026 |
Created by Duncan Reed © Duncan Reed, 2001-2026 |
