October 16, 1996. Copyright, 1995, Graphic News. All rights reserved

£73 MILLION FLOOD RELIEF CHANNEL UNDER CONSTRUCTION 
By Julie Mullins

LONDON, October 16, Graphic News- Work on the countryÕs largest flood defence scheme starts today, designed to protect part of the Thames Valley from severe flooding. 
The area around Maidenhead, Windsor, and Eton has a long history of flooding, which occurs around every five to seven years. 500 homes were affected in 1990, but the last major flood devastated 2,000 homes in 1947. If such intense flooding were to occur again now, it is estimated that over 5,500 properties Ð and consequently 12,500 people Ð would be affected, the M4 motorway and other vital transport links would be closed and electricity, telephone and other services would be disrupted.
To alleviate the threat, the Environment Agency is starting work on a £73 million project to construct a flood relief channel, which will run below both the London-Bristol railway line and the M4 motorway. Running alongside the Thames, it will have a constant flow of water all year round but the amount can be controlled by radial gates to divert excess water from the river when necessary and so prevent risk to property.
At present the Thames can accommodate a flow of about 275 cubic metres per second; channel and river together will be able to accommodate a flow of about 515 cubic metres per second. 
The new channel, which will not be navigable, will be 11.8km (around 7 miles) long, around 45m wide and 5m deep. It is designed to look and function as a natural living river and will be landscaped both to enhance the environment and create a unique wildlife corridor, recreating habitats lost from the area through riverside development. The scheme is due to be completed in 2001.

SOURCE: The Environment Agency