Ferris Meadow Lake

What is the River Thames Scheme and why is it so important?

The River Thames Scheme (RTS) is a vital piece of infrastructure with its core aims to reduce the risk of flooding, develop more active travel routes, create more open green spaces, and improve biodiversity, encouraging inclusive economic growth. The RTS is a publicly funded scheme which is being delivered by the Environment Agency, Surrey County Council, local boroughs including Spelthorne, Runnymede and Elmbridge, and other partners.

Each of these elements of the scheme, will work in tandem to deliver lasting benefits for communities to help them live more sustainably and importantly, it will reduce the risk of flooding to around 11,000 homes and 1,600 businesses. We have published a non-technical summary of our flood modelling report. The non-technical summary includes various maps, which will help you understand how your community will be at reduced flood risk.

If you would like to understand how a flood channel works, but only have 2 minutes, please watch our short video.

Video: How the RTS flood channel will work

The scheme covers part of the largest area of undefended, developed floodplain in England and communities in the area have suffered major floods in the past. With the increase of wetter and warmer weather, demonstrated more recently with Storm Henk, the risk of flooding is likely to become a more frequent occurrence.

The last substantial flood was in 2014, over 900 homes were affected by flooding, with major impacts on families, roads and supply of services. Therefore, the scheme is a vital initiative; finding sustainable ways for people to enjoy the outdoors and access nature. The river and its surrounding area have rich and diverse natural habitats which are essential for the development and sustainability of biodiversity.

An aerial photograph, showing the 2014 flooding from Walton Bridge looking toward Desborough Island and Shepperton.

Current proposals and gathering feedback

Building a large piece of critical infrastructure can be challenging; it comes with many complexities, and while the aim is to deliver benefits to the greatest number of residents and businesses, sometimes our plans may impact on our neighbours and communities.

We understand the current design proposals for routing the flood alleviation channel through Ferris Meadow Lake has raised some concerns. We are listening and doing our best to understand and respond to these concerns, by exploring options for alternative routes of the channel, which do not pass through the lake. At this stage we are only looking into alternatives to see if there is a better option and to date, no decision to change the route of the RTS has been made.

This does not mean that the RTS are working exclusively with the lake owner, the campaign group or any individual group, resident or business on elements of the scheme; this is not the case. It is right thought that we look at alternatives to the current option and ask stakeholders for their thoughts. Looking into alternatives does not necessarily mean we have/ will be changing our plans.

Working on the RTS is a team of professionals who are passionate about reducing the risk of flooding and creating better more sustainable environments. Everyone in the RTS office, wants to leave a positive legacy behind for the communities we serve. We are committed to work closely with all those who will benefit and those who have concerns around the scheme, as we want to make sure the River Thames Scheme is the very best it can be.

If you are interested in the development of the RTS proposed designs on Ferris Meadow Lake or any other elements of the scheme, you will find the most up to date information in our Statutory Consultation Brochure (PDF). Although the consultation has now closed, the brochure still contains up to date information (as of March 2024). Following Statutory Consultation and feedback submitted that is currently being assessed, as soon as we have any further updates, we are committed to sharing these.

Our specialists are looking at a handful of alternatives, and need to consider several factors for each option, including:

• Can this option be engineered and what are the environmental impacts?
• Will this option continue to reduce flood risk to 11,000 homes and 1,600 businesses?
• Will this option need new land? Perhaps it will need land which is somebody's home/ property.
• Who else needs to be engaged with and may be further impacted by any of these alternative options?
• What will this alternative option cost?

All these factors need to be studied carefully, along with flood capacity, engineering, costs, policy and environmental factors and how they fit with the scheme's Environmental Design Principles (PDF) (available for review as part of our statutory consultation material), which stem from the scheme's goals.

Ultimately, we all want to find a workable solution.

An overview map showing the route of the RTS flood alleviation channel, with the Spelthorne section passing through Ferris Meadow Lake - this is shown in the dark blue box.