The Upper Thames Protection Society
For the past 20 years the Upper Thames Protection Society has brought together a diverse group of those committed to maintaining the integrity of the River Thames from Lechlade to its source.
A glance through recent issues of Stripling, our annual newsletter, shows concern for water quality so vital for fish and plant life, support for projects such as mink control, encouragement of water voles, water management in drought and flood, the introduction of salmon, anxiety of fishermen at the spread of American crayfish, and the potential threat from canal development.
Thames Water is seeking approval for its plans for water storage near Abingdon, and a planning enquiry is in progress. This project is not scheduled for operation until 2020, and is intended to secure supplies for Swindon and the lower Thames valley. It does not embrace the needs of any canal development in the area.
The development of the Thames and Severn Canal has concentrated on the Stroud and Brimscombe area and seems to have substantially overrun the estimated cost. There has been no assessment for development in the Golden Valley or of the Sapperton Tunnel. Water shortage in this area has not been addressed.
The proposed Country Way between Mouldon Hill and Cricklade failed to attract Lottery funding in 2007. This included canal and rail links, a visitor centre in Cricklade and a Sustrans pathway. The Upper Thames Protection Society is happy to see a cycle path, but believes this was an appropriate response in view of unrealistic expectations and water shortages. There was also a potential threat to the River in the area of vital spawning grounds.
