The petition of residents of Derwent Avenue, Thurne View and Eden Court in Ladygrove in the constituency of Didcot and Wantage,
Declares that Thames Water must take all possible measures to mitigate against repeat sewage flood occurrences from manhole 2201.
The petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urges the Government to ensure that Thames Water confirms that all possible measures will be put in place to mitigate against further sewage flood events from manhole 2201.
And the petitioners remain, etc.—[Presented by Olly Glover, Official Report, 25 March 2026; Vol. 783, c. 367.]
[P003180]
Observation from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Emma Hardy):
We sympathise with residents of Derwent Avenue, Thurne View and Eden Court who have experienced repeated sewage flooding and the ongoing risk this poses to their homes, and thanks the petitioners for raising this serious and distressing issue.
We are committed to reducing the risk of sewage flooding and to holding water companies to account for the performance of their waste water networks. Water companies have a legal duty to maintain their sewerage systems to ensure they are effectual and do not cause pollution or harm to communities. Where companies fail to meet these obligations, regulators have strong powers to intervene.
Thames Water is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the local sewerage network, including manhole 2201. The Environment Agency and Ofwat expect Thames Water to take all appropriate and proportionate measures to prevent repeat sewage flooding incidents, including investigating root causes, increasing network capacity where necessary, and delivering long-term solutions to improve resilience.
This includes ensuring Thames Water takes a proactive and preventive approach to planning for current and future risks and demands on its waste water systems over the next 25-plus years, through the newly statutory drainage and waste water management plans. All water and sewerage companies DWMPs must set out how they will manage sewer flooding, storm overflows, pollution incidents, and to maintain ongoing compliance with regulatory permits.
We have significantly strengthened the regulatory framework governing water companies. New powers allow regulators to take faster and tougher enforcement action, including issuing substantial penalties where companies fail to act. We have also made clear that water companies must prioritise investment in waste water infrastructure to protect communities from sewage flooding and pollution.
Locally, the Environment Agency works closely with water companies and local authorities to monitor sewer flooding risks and ensure appropriate action is taken. Where repeated incidents occur, regulators expect companies to engage with affected residents, clearly explain planned mitigation measures, and keep communities informed of progress.
We will continue to work with regulators to ensure Thames Water delivers the necessary improvements to its waste water network, and that residents in Didcot are protected from current and future sewage flooding incidents.