Public Consultation on Abingdon Reservoir – Final Call

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The deadline for submitting responses to the South East Strategic Reservoir Option (SESRO) consultation runs to 11:59 PM on August 28, 2024.

The Vale of White Horse District Council has submitted their comprehensive response, which runs to 26 pages. They argue that alternative solutions should be explored. They also raise concerns about the lack of information regarding design, environmental impact, and construction plans. See https://www.whitehorsedc.gov.uk/planning/council-submits-response-to-thames-water-reservoir-consultation/

Other groups, such as the Group Against Reservoir Development (GARD), have also responded and are encouraging public participation.

The consultation asks for views on various aspects of the project, including:
Infrastructure: railway access, road access, road replacement (Steventon to East Hanney Road), water treatment works, intake/outfall, and emergency discharge.
Process: The process used to develop preferred options.
Master Plan: Design principles and the overall layout.

There is also a final question for ‘any other comments’.

So you can still provide your feedback by filling out an online questionnaire at https://thames-wrmp.co.uk/projects/sesro/.

The next big event will be the Statutory public consultation in 2025. This consultation is presumably not statutory.

Work on some trial embankments should soon be underway.  Costain have been given the contract and will build three test embankments. Geologists will study how the local Kimmeridge clay behaves under different conditions to see if it’s suitable for the reservoir’s large embankments.

Southern Town Junior Parkrun: Up and Running

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Volunteers were working for some time with the parkrun organisation to set up a junior parkrun in Abingdon’s Southern Town Park. The first successful run was on Sunday 7 July 2024. This Sunday was the eighth event so it is well established.

Junior parkruns are for children between the ages of 4-14. They are 2km long and taking part is free and all junior parkruns start at 9am on Sunday mornings. There is information about taking part and registering and volunteering at https://www.parkrun.org.uk/southerntown-juniors/

The event is also supported by Healthy Abingdon. Thanks to Dave from Healthy Abingdon for the pictures from his page: https://healthyabingdon.org.uk/news.htm#parkrun.

Flood Storage and Fruit Trees near Chaunterell Way Playground

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Flooding has been a problem near the River Ock in South Abingdon. A few homes were flooded earlier this year. To help, a container has been placed near the Chaunterell Way Playground. It holds equipment to help people during floods. This equipment can be quickly given to residents if needed. (By equipment I think we are talking sandbags, but it may include a flood barrier.)

Around the Chaunterell Playground, about a dozen fruit trees have also been planted. These include plums, pears, and apples. (They are £7.50 each or two for £12.)

Where are all the Male Ducks?

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Tim has observed a decline in the male duck population at the bridge by the open-air pool. He has observed this over the past few weeks. Among all the ducks he cannot see a single duck with full male plumage.

He has also observed that duck feeding is less frenzied than a few weeks ago.

He has observed that all the mature ducks have female plumage and a few of the juveniles seem to be growing male plumage but no mature males are visible.

Tim suggested some explanations for this decline in the male duck population:

Habitat Loss: Changes in the surrounding environment might have driven male ducks to other places.
Disease: A disease outbreak specific to male ducks.
Hormonal Factors: Pollutants in the water could be affecting the hormonal balance of ducks, leading to males becoming female.
Leisure: Male ducks have migrated to a more exciting location now the breeding season is over.

Somebody out there may be able to help.