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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with (a) Thames Water, (b) Ofwat and (c) other local stakeholders on the proposed Abingdon Reservoir in Thames Water’s draft Water Resources Management Plan 2019.

The Secretary of State will consider and make decisions on the draft water resources management plan, following both Thames Water’s consultation and advice from the Environment Agency (EA). Ofwat will also scrutinise Thames Water’s published proposals to make sure they offer customers value for money through the price review process.

Defra, Ofwat and the EA discussed with Thames Water the need for further consultation on its draft plan, following the previous consultation earlier this year. Thames Water has now published a statement of response, which explains the views expressed in its original consultation and the reasons for it deciding to carry out further consultation on its draft plan.