To receive the above verbal update.

The Principal Commissioning Officer for Highway Services said that there were 2 significant areas of surface water flood risk. These were in both Maidenhead town centre and Windsor town centre.

The Principal Commissioning Officer for Highway Services encouraged members of the group to be actively engaged and participate in the consultations that had been previously mentioned by Brianne Vally.

The Principal Commissioning Officer for Highway Services said that the RBWM were progressing some local measures, which were separately funded outside of the £10 million RBWM contribution to the RTS alternatives project.

The Principal Commissioning Officer for Highway Services stated that these works included:

·       Work on the barrel arch in Datchet

·       Work on the non-return valve on the culvert into the Datchet common brook

·       Work on the Wraysbury drain (Horton/ Douglas Lane- downstream if required)

·       Work in Feathers Lane

The Principal Commissioning Officer for Highway Services said in relation to the capital programme that there were currently ditch clearings and soak away cleansing occurring. This was accompanied with day-to-day maintenance works occurring.

The Principal Commissioning Officer for Highway Services said that the liaison with residents was continuing especially in Fifield, Moneyrow Green and Stud Green to address certain issues with regards to flooding.

The Principal Commissioning Officer for Highway Services said in relation to land drainage that the RBWM actively carried out inspections of trash screens that were located at key water sources within the borough. She added that any further discoveries that related to Thames Water or external partners, would be referred to the appropriate bodies.

Old Windsor Parish Councillor Malcolm Beer said that an issue had been identified a year ago with water coming off the A308 Straight road into a parade of shops, which when there is heavy rain leads to flooding in this area.

The Principal Commissioning Officer for Highway Services replied by saying that some work had been carried out at this location, with suggestions made by Malcolm Beer having been considered. This suggested work had been ordered and was ongoing.

Old Windsor Parish Councillor Malcolm Beer expressed concern at the level of the gulley’s compared to the road level and said that water would always find the lowest level as it was doing in this situation.

ACTION- Sue Fox to update Old Windsor Parish Councillor Malcolm Beer on the progress of the planned works at the A308 Straight road.

Councillor Larcombe said that he believed a land drainage inspection and maintenance procedure was needed to cover structures and the pieces of channel between them. Councillor Larcombe suggested that Parish Council’s could once a year focus upon water issues within their local parish in the form of a report.

The Chairman acknowledged this suggestion, however dismissed it due to the potential encouragement of trespassing.

Councillor Larcombe asked for a copy of the specification that will apply to the Wraysbury drain between Douglas lane and the Horton drain due to concerns over the size of the watercourses.

The Principal Commissioning Officer for Highway Services said that the works that were being carried out were enabling works and recognised ancient legislation that alludes to the measurements of watercourses.

Councillor Larcombe asked what the costs were of the works on the Wraysbury drain and if these will be re-charged if it was found that riparian owners had not fulfilled their duties if on their land. The Principal Commissioning Officer for Highway Services said the main aim currently was to get the water flowing and other factors would be looked at in due course and would begin before Christmas.

Dick Scarff expressed concern over Battlemead Common and the borough’s plan to plant vegetation, which could cause issues. The Principal Commissioning Officer for Highway Services replied by stating that the borough was aware of the issues and that she would raise these concerns again.

Councillor Stimson asked Brianne Vally to inform her of any ongoing discussions regarding this.

Cookham Parish Councillor Jane Perry said that a sludge was present at the Battlemead Common because of a lack of dredging and that the planting of this vegetation would lead to the water level in the river rising, increasing the risk of flooding.

Datchet Parish Councillor Ian Thompson asked for an update on the time scale for works on the barrel arch. The Principal Commissioning Officer for Highway Services said that she would address this offline.