I grew up in Abingdon near Oxford, spent over 20 years in the Cowley car industry as a shop steward, and lived in London for many years before moving back to Abingdon in May 2021. I have been a Labour Party member since Jeremy Corbyn became leader in September 2015, joining while I was living in Southwark.
On 4 September this year, Steven Reed, the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs under the recently elected Labour Government, granted planning approval for a new £1.2 billion super reservoir on the Upper Thames, west of Abingdon. This joint proposal by Thames Water, Southern Water, and Affinity Water aims to address water shortages in the South-East, which serves a combined 38 million customers. Thames Water, the largest of the three, claims an urgent need for an additional 350 million litres of water a day to meet demand driven by a growing population.
“Every river in England is polluted — a scandalous situation that must be tackled alongside this project.”
The South-East is particularly vulnerable to water shortages, exacerbated by decades of mismanagement by private water companies. Thames Water, infamous for leaks, pollution, and shareholder payouts, is a case in point. Yet, the new reservoir is not without controversy.
The Project
The new reservoir will be vast, nearly the size of Abingdon itself, with a capacity of 15 billion litres of water. It is to be built on farmland between East Hanney, Steventon, and Marcham, just two miles west of Abingdon town centre. Surrounded by the A34, the London-to-Bristol railway line, and the River Ock, the reservoir will have embankments up to 25 metres high and cover 6.7 square kilometres.
This will be the first major reservoir constructed in the South-East since privatisation 30 years ago. It will function as a retention basin, collecting surplus water from the Thames in winter and supplying it during summer droughts.
“Securing future water supply and fixing leaks and pollution must be done simultaneously. Consultation must mean consultation, not filibustering.”
Steven Reed’s decision highlights Labour’s determination to push through infrastructure projects stalled under the Tories, who prioritised rural constituencies and climate denialism. Thames Water, for its part, has made sweeping promises: the reservoir will secure water for the next century, enhance biodiversity, and create recreational spaces.
Controversy and Opposition
Opposition to the reservoir has existed since it was first proposed in 1996, with local groups such as the Group Against Reservoir Development (GARD) leading the charge. While GARD acknowledges the need for a secure water supply in the South-East, it argues that the reservoir is unnecessary, advocating instead for fixing leaks, recycling wastewater, and public education. Some of their proposals, however, are deeply flawed, such as transferring water from other catchments, which is ecologically damaging and unsustainable.
“Transferring water between catchments is ecologically damaging and only provides the shortest of short-term solutions.”
Local politics has also fuelled opposition. Liberal Democrats, who dominate local councils in Oxfordshire, have opposed the reservoir for electoral gain, even when acknowledging the strategic necessity. Leyla Moran, Liberal Democrat MP for Oxford West and Abingdon, has backed calls for a public inquiry, reflecting the Lib Dems’ broader reluctance to support such projects.
Even within Labour, there has been debate. Initially, I opposed the reservoir, arguing that Thames Water should first fix its leaks and stop polluting rivers. However, after attending a public consultation in June, I changed my mind. The reservoir’s 16-year build time makes delay untenable. The leaks and sewage spills must be addressed alongside construction — not instead of it.
Biodiversity and Flooding
Claims that the reservoir will harm biodiversity are misplaced. Farmland is already heavily depleted, while reservoirs can create habitats for fish, birds, and other wildlife. Developers have pledged to create 90 hectares of new woodland, wetlands, and grasslands, alongside paths and recreation spaces.
“Farmland is already biodiversity-depleted, while a reservoir can support richer ecosystems and attract wildlife.”
Flooding in the Ock catchment is a legitimate concern, and the developers have promised watercourse diversions and floodplain storage to mitigate risks. Whether these measures prove effective remains to be seen, but unmanaged, the reservoir could exacerbate local flooding.
A Broader Perspective
The UK’s population, now over 69 million, continues to grow, driven largely by migration. This is a taboo subject on the left, but it must be addressed when planning essential services like water supply. Globally, population growth adds 82 million people a year, putting immense pressure on finite resources.
“The demand for fresh water has long outpaced its natural replenishment. By 2025, 1.8 billion people will live in areas facing serious water shortages.”
Socialists must not shy away from these challenges. Blocking long-term infrastructure projects on narrow or opportunistic grounds is both irresponsible and unsustainable. The Labour Government’s willingness to confront such opposition is a welcome shift from the Tory years of inaction.
The super reservoir near Abingdon is a strategic necessity. Addressing water shortages, fixing leaks, and reducing pollution must happen simultaneously. Consultation should not become a tool for obstructionism.
Socialists have a responsibility to support infrastructure that meets the needs of the many while balancing environmental concerns. Labour’s decision to approve this reservoir is a step in the right direction, and we must ensure its construction proceeds without undue delay. The future of water supply in the South-East — and beyond — depends on it.
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