Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the Oxford Flood Alleviation scheme on the local area.

The Oxford Flood Alleviation Scheme will better protect all properties currently at risk of flooding from the River Thames in Oxford. It will also reduce flood risk to the railway, local roads, utilities and services such as broadband which will help to keep Oxford open for business and support the tourist economy. The economic appraisal presents a very high value for money investment, delivering more than £1.8 billion in economic flood risk benefits over 100 years.

The scheme has been designed to bring additional environmental benefits to the area beyond reduced flood risk. It has a nature-based design, creating a new stream and valuable wetland habitat, which will join up with existing wildlife sites.

The Environment Agency recognises that there will be short term impacts on the local communities during construction, but it is working closely with the relevant stakeholders and its contractor to minimise disruption.