Pre-Statutory Consultation launch briefing with MPs and Councillors

A great turn out at the Councillor and Members of Parliament (MP) pre–Statutory Consultation launch briefing for the River Thames Scheme (RTS).

Friday 19 January saw us host a Councillor and MP pre–statutory consultation launch briefing at Chertsey Hall for the RTS.

We invited MPs who reside along the scheme route and Councillors from the five boroughs partnering the scheme: Runnymede, Elmbridge, Spelthorne, Richmond and Kingston as well as inviting Councillors from across the wider Surrey area too.

A group of people standing around some River Thames Scheme banners in conversation with the scheme specialists. We had a total of 30 participants drop in across the morning event. Lots of engagement took place between Councillors and the projects generalists and specialists.

Jeanne Capey, Project Director for the RTS was keen to add, 'Thanks to our dedicated team, we have successfully refined our landscape and green infrastructure designs, with the invaluable support from the community. Since the non-statutory consultation in 2022, we have strengthened our ties with the community, collaborating closely with local planning authorities and councillors to widen our engagement reach. This event was an opportunity to share the schemes current position and bring a vision of the scheme to life. To give MPs and Councillors the experience of Statutory Consultation their constituents will receive in the coming weeks.'

Monday 22 January saw the RTS launch statutory consultation, which gives local communities and key stakeholders the opportunity to ensure the final project design is informed and influenced by those who live, work, and use the area.

The RTS statutory consultation will run for six weeks from 12.00am on 22 January 2024 to 11.59pm on Monday 4 March. There are 11 in-person events and 5 virtual events across the scheme boundary between late January and throughout February.

At our in-person events people can pick up statutory consultation brochures and our feedback form. They can view the non-technical summaries of the Preliminary Environmental Information Report (PEIR), flood modelling report, other environmental documents and map books and talk to our specialists about the scheme.

A group of 4 people in conversation at a table looking at the River Thames Scheme banners and consultation material.

For more information on our statutory consultation, view our dedicated Consultation webpage.